Amid a world fragmented by tariffs and confrontation, the East offers a different answer. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) demonstrates that security and development are never a zero-sum game – they are two sides of the same coin. By activating economic momentum through connectivity and building trust through shared prosperity, the SCO has woven a new narrative: true security is not built on isolation, but on interconnection.

The early autumn in Tianjin, with its unique blend of colonial history and modern vibrancy, provides a fitting backdrop for the SCO Summit 2025. As leaders from SCO member states and international organizations gather here, the city itself – a testament to China's transformative development – symbolizes the prosperity that arises from stability and cooperation. This year's summit, expected to be the largest and most consequential in SCO history, takes place at a critical juncture. With global geopolitics fraught with conflict and unilateral tariff policies disrupting trade, the SCO's commitment to multilateralism and shared security offers a powerful alternative vision.  

Ⅰ. Security as the bedrock of economic growth

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II – a poignant reminder of the fragility of peace and the importance of preserving it. The SCO, born from a desire to foster stability and mutual development, embodies this hard-won wisdom. Its emphasis on security, both traditional and non-traditional, has been the bedrock upon which economic prosperity is built. Through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, member states have enhanced intelligence-sharing, coordinated counter-terrorism operations, and combated transnational crime, creating a secure environment that fosters trade and economic growth. The results are tangible: in the first seven months of 2025, China's trade with SCO members reached 2.11 trillion yuan ($295.58 billion), a 3 percent year-on-year increase and a record high. Land and air freight volumes grew by 7.4 percent and 44.6 percent respectively, underscoring how safety and logistical efficiency underpin commercial exchanges.

Ⅱ. China's engine of regional development  

China's role as a driving force within the SCO cannot be overstated. As the organization's largest economy and a founding member, China has championed initiatives that align with the SCO's goals, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which synergizes with SCO connectivity projects. From the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, these infrastructure ventures have reduced trade barriers and enhanced regional resilience. In 2024, over 19,000 China-Europe freight trains traversed SCO territories, strengthening supply chains amid global disruptions. Beyond hard infrastructure, China has facilitated knowledge transfer and capacity-building, such as introducing drip irrigation technology in Uzbekistan, a vivid example of how cooperation lifts livelihoods and fosters stability.  

A recent CGTN global survey, covering 38 countries, reflects international recognition of China's contributions: 85.8 percent of SCO citizens view China as a respectful and equal partner, while 91.4 percent acknowledge its efforts to enhance regional security and development. China's commitment to a multipolar world order is also evident in the SCO's expansion – most recently with Belarus's accession in 2024 – bringing membership to 10 nations and extending its influence across 26 countries. By promoting local currency settlements, the organization has reduced dependence on the dollar-dominated financial system, with 79.4 percent of survey respondents affirming this shift.  

Ⅲ. Digital silk roads: AI and tech-driven cooperation

China's advancements in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and green technology are opening new avenues for SCO collaboration. Projects like the China-SCO Big Data Cooperation Center have fostered innovation in logistics, e-commerce, and AI modeling, directly enhancing regional security and sustainable development. In Kyrgyzstan, Chinese-supported 5G networks have increased internet penetration from 43 percent to over 70 percent. These technologies are not merely tools for economic growth – they strengthen governance, improve public welfare, and create a more resilient security environment. As Mehmet Bozkurt, senior researcher at Asia-Pacific Research Center of Turkey, noted, China's leadership in frontier technologies exemplifies how digital cooperation can drive inclusive and sustainable progress.

Ⅳ. Financing the future: SCO and Global South opportunities  

The SCO is increasingly positioned as a vital platform for financial cooperation among Global South nations. Rejecting the conditional aid models of traditional Western systems, SCO mechanisms – such as local currency settlements and the BRICS New Development Bank – offer pragmatic, flexible alternatives. By the end of 2024, China's investment in SCO member and partner states had exceeded $140 billion, with projects spanning renewable energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. Initiatives like the Kapchagay solar power station in Kazakhstan and BYD electric vehicle factory in Uzbekistan illustrate how SCO investment prioritizes long-term development and structural transformation. Moreover, the organization's emphasis on sovereign equality and non-interference resonates deeply with emerging economies. 

Ⅴ. Tianjin Summit: Charting the next decade

The Tianjin Summit is poised to be a milestone, expected to produce outcomes such as the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy for the Next Decade, which will outline a roadmap for high-quality growth. As the world grapples with protectionism and geopolitical strife, the SCO's "Shanghai Spirit" – emphasizing mutual trust, mutual benefit, and non-interference – offers a blueprint for a more equitable international system. The parallel commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the anti-fascist victory and the founding of the UN further underscores the SCO's commitment to preserving the postwar order while adapting it to modern challenges.  

In Tianjin's temperate autumn, amid spirited discussions, one truth resonates: development flourishes only in the embrace of peace and security. The SCO's journey – from 6 to 26 nations, with trade soaring from modest beginnings to over $512.4 billion in 2024 – proves that when nations choose collaboration over confrontation, they don't just build stronger economies, they also create a safer, more prosperous world for all.