China Calls for Deeper SCO Cooperation on AI, Trade and Regional Security
China has called for stronger cooperation among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with President Xi Jinping urging the group to focus on economic development, security and emerging technologies.
Xi made the appeal during the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the subsequent SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as the organization marks its 25th anniversary.
Four-point proposal puts development first
Xi presented a four-point proposal for the organization’s future direction.
He called on SCO members to place development and people’s well-being at the centre of cooperation, strengthen security, promote dialogue and consultation, and support a more inclusive global economic system.
The Chinese leader said the SCO’s experience of cooperation has been based on non-alignment, non-confrontation and not targeting third parties.
AI and digital economy become major priorities
Artificial intelligence and the digital economy featured prominently in China’s latest proposal.
Xi said SCO members should expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital industries, green development and green mining, alongside traditional areas such as trade, investment, energy and connectivity.
China also announced plans to establish an international AI application cooperation centre with fellow SCO countries.
China announces new cooperation projects
Beijing said it will establish a China-SCO port economic cooperation centre in Tianjin and implement 100 technological cooperation projects with other SCO countries over the next three years.
The initiatives are intended to strengthen economic and technological links among participating countries and create additional opportunities for practical cooperation.
Security remains central to the agenda
Alongside economic development, Xi called for coordinated action against both traditional and emerging security threats.
He said the SCO should promote common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security while strengthening the ability of member countries to respond to security challenges. China also expressed support for the early establishment of four SCO security centres.
China promotes stronger global governance
Xi also called for efforts to make the international governance system more equitable.
The Chinese government has presented the SCO as an important platform for regional cooperation and a mechanism through which developing countries can play a larger role in international affairs.
The latest summit therefore combines economic and technological initiatives with a broader Chinese push for greater participation by emerging economies in global governance.
Focus shifts toward practical cooperation
The announcements in Bishkek indicate that China wants the SCO’s next phase to produce more concrete economic, technological and security cooperation.
With AI, digitalisation, trade, energy and connectivity all receiving greater attention, the organization is expected to broaden its activities beyond traditional regional cooperation.
