Xi’s Global Governance Initiative at the SCO Summit

 

ByQaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD

On Sept. 1, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the massive SCO Plus meeting in Tianjin, unveiling what Beijing calls the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). The initiative was presented at the largest-ever summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a security and economic bloc founded in 2001. The Tianjin gathering was reportedly attended by leaders from over twenty countries and heads of ten international organizations, making it the biggest SCO meeting in its 24-year history. Speaking to this diverse assembly of Asian, Eurasian, and Middle Eastern states, Xi framed the GGI as a “more just and equitable global governance system” and urged cooperation toward a “community with a shared future for humanity.” The announcement was widely covered by Chinese state media and echoed in friendly international outlets, setting the tone for how Beijing views its role in the emerging world order.

Chinese reports emphasize that Xi described today’s world as marked by turbulence: Cold War thinking, power politics and protectionism remain strong even as global challenges mount. Against this backdrop, he said global governance has “come to a new crossroads.” To navigate this juncture, Xi spelled out five guiding principles for the GGI: sovereign equality of all nations, strict adherence to international rule of law, true multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and a focus on real actions rather than empty rhetoric. In practice, this means Beijing hopes all countries–big or small, rich or poor–to participate and decide on international matters on an equal footing, without “double standards” or the “house rules of a few countries” being imposed on the rest. Xi stressed that the United Nations, founded 80 years ago, must remain the irreplaceable centerpiece of global governance, but said the existing system must be reformed to reflect these principles. He called on the SCO itself to “play a leading role” in promoting and exemplifying the GGI vision, portraying the bloc as a stabilizing force amid international uncertainty.

Chinese scholars and commentators have lauded the GGI as addressing obvious deficits in today’s world order. Peking University professor Wang Dong told state media that the initiative introduces “theoretical innovation” with potentially profound influence. Analysts close to Beijing note that much of the Global South – Africa, Asia, Latin America – feels its voice is under-represented in current institutions dominated by the West. The GGI, they say, aims to “optimize and reshape” global governance by giving emerging and developing countries equal rights and opportunities. An editorial in China Daily praised the timing of Xi’s proposal, arguing that reform of post-war international institutions is “imperative” in today’s world. The editorial echoed Xi’s themes, urging the SCO countries to resist what it called “hegemonism and power politics” and to uphold multilateralism. It cited the SCO’s own history as the first regional bloc to propose a shared, inclusive approach to global issues – a philosophy built on trust, mutual benefit and respect for diversity. In short, China’s official line is that the GGI is a contribution of Chinese “solutions and wisdom” to meet global challenges that no one country can solve alone.

China’s Commitments and the SCO’s Role

Xi’s speech went beyond grand principles to include concrete commitments. Within the year, Beijing will inject fresh funds into SCO development: 2 billion yuan (about $280 million) in grants and another 10 billion yuan in loans to member banks. These would help underwrite projects in infrastructure, energy, green industry, and the digital economy – sectors Xi highlighted as key “platforms” for SCO collaboration. He also called for the creation of a new SCO development bank and an alternative payment system among member states, moves long-sought within the bloc to reduce dependency on the US dollar. Chinese officials said this is in line with their goal of an “inclusive cooperation mechanism” for the GGI.

China pledged to set up three major cooperation centers in the region: for scientific and technological innovation, for higher education, and for vocational training. It will also back the SCO’s existing anti-terror and counter-narcotics centers. In a humanitarian gesture, Xi announced that Beijing would launch dozens of small aid projects to improve lives in member states – for example, installing medical and water facilities. Remarkably, he offered a five-year medical assistance plan: China will treat 500 children with congenital heart disease, perform 5,000 cataract surgeries, and conduct 10,000 cancer screenings for people in other SCO countries. On the high-tech front, China plans to build an AI cooperation center for SCO nations and has invited them to join its lunar research station, signaling a bid to involve partners in cutting-edge science.

All these pledges, China’s leaders hope, will turn the GGI’s broad goals into tangible benefits. Beijing’s generosity at SCO is not new – it already accounts for tens of billions in trade and investment with fellow members – but the scale of the recent package underlines how GGI is being backed by policy. State media reports noted that China’s total investment in other SCO countries exceeds $84 billion, with annual trade over $500 billion, and that China “aligns its development with that of the SCO.” In speeches and official notices, Xi repeatedly invoked the so-called “Shanghai Spirit” – a founding SCO creed of trust and equality – to encourage members to seize the summit’s momentum. He urged SCO leaders to set aside differences, focus on mutual benefit and openness, and seek efficient, concrete outcomes in all areas, from trade to technology.

The SCO itself has grown rapidly in recent years. Originally a six-country security pact in Central Asia, it now counts ten full members (including China, Russia, India, and Pakistan) plus two observers and 14 dialogue partners stretching into Southeast Asia, South Asia, and even Africa. Together, this “SCO Plus” network covers nearly half of humanity and around a quarter of global GDP and land area. Xi noted that the bloc has already achieved several “groundbreaking” milestones – from joint anti-terror exercises to Belt and Road cooperation – and said it was the first international body to articulate a vision of “global governance with extensive consultation and shared benefit.” In that spirit, the Tianjin summit concluded with a declaration to boost SCO-wide economic and security ties. Chinese commentary frames this as evidence that the grouping is maturing into a genuine global player that can uphold stability.

 

Author: Qaiser Nawab is Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), an international platform focused on fostering cooperation and innovation across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He can be reached at qaisernawab098@gmail.com