ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an equal and orderly multipolar world, urging Shanghai Cooperation Organization members to strengthen multilateralism, uphold sovereign equality and give the Global South a greater voice in global affairs.
Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Xi said that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, while hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are gaining ground.
“The overwhelming majority of countries do not support power politics, conflict or confrontation, but instead seek equal opportunities for development and greater participation in international affairs,” he said.
“The trend toward a multipolar world is irreversible,” Xi said, stressing that countries should build consensus on how to advance multipolarity.
The Chinese president said that Beijing advocates an “equal and orderly multipolar world,” based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.
He called for equal rights, opportunities, and rules for all countries, regardless of their size, strength, or wealth.
Xi also stressed that Global South countries should have greater representation and a stronger voice in international affairs, describing them as an important component and key force in advancing multipolarity.
He urged countries to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and reject “double standards, exceptionalism, interference and bullying.”
“Multilateralism, dialogue and consultation are the key pathways forward,” Xi said.
Global rules, jointly formulated
He argued that international affairs should be handled through consultation among all countries, while global rules should be jointly formulated rather than dictated by a few powers.
Xi called for strengthening the authority and effectiveness of the United Nations and improving coordination among global and regional multilateral institutions.
On the economic front, the Chinese president rejected protectionism, decoupling and efforts to sever supply chains, saying these approaches “have no future”.
He called for greater openness and cooperation and urged countries to ensure that the benefits of technological development, including artificial intelligence and digital transformation, are shared broadly.
SCO: Platform for cooperation
Reflecting on the SCO's 25-year history, Xi said the organization has become an important platform for cooperation among countries across Eurasia and now represents nearly half of the world's population and one quarter of the global economy.
He outlined three areas where the SCO can play a greater role.
He called for using the organization's strength to promote prosperity across Eurasia by advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and connecting growth centers across the continent.
Need for greater fairness, justice
Xi urged the SCO to draw on its experience to promote development across the Global South and to expand the SCO Plus framework.
He said the organization should unite countries around peace, development and mutually beneficial cooperation.
He also called on the SCO to contribute to reforming the global governance system and make it fair and representative.
“Advancing the global governance system toward greater fairness and justice is a mission and responsibility of the SCO,” Xi said.
He urged members and partners to uphold partnership over alignment, dialogue over confrontation, and greater consultation and shared benefits.
Xi concluded by calling on SCO countries to remain people-centered and action-oriented, to work toward a fairer global governance system, and to jointly build what he described as a community with a shared future for humanity.