China’s President Xi Jinping has outlined plans for a new world order aimed at challenging the dominance of the US-led West. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi criticised what he described as “bullying behaviour” and a “Cold War mentality”, in a clear reference to Western trade policies and tariffs. He urged SCO members, including Russia and India, to expand their role and highlighted the bloc’s “mega-scale market” as a platform for multilateral cooperation.
++ White House frustration grows over European role in Ukraine peace efforts
Xi called for equal participation in global governance, stressing that all countries, regardless of size or wealth, should share in decision-making and benefits. He announced initiatives including an SCO-run development bank, a green and energy cooperation platform, and $1.4bn in loans for member states over the next three years. Additionally, he proposed the use of China’s BeiDou satellite system among SCO nations, offering an alternative to the US-controlled GPS.
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Xi’s vision, describing it as the foundation for a “new system of stability and security in Eurasia” that would consider the interests of multiple countries rather than privileging one. Putin reiterated his criticisms of the West over Ukraine, framing the conflict as a consequence of Western actions, while also acknowledging his cooperation with Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek peace. Modi and Putin also held private talks, further strengthening ties with China.
++ Are cats or dogs smarter? The science behind pet intelligence
The summit highlighted growing cooperation between China, Russia, and India amid Western sanctions on Russia and strained relations with the US. Leaders from Iran, North Korea, and Turkey also attended, underscoring the SCO’s increasingly global profile. The gathering coincides with Beijing’s military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, signalling China’s ambitions to assert its influence on both regional and global stages.
