Bishkek summit injects impetus into high-quality development of SCO

Editor's Note: Zhao Huirong is a research fellow and director at the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia within the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, marking a milestone as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The leaders of member states signed and issued the Bishkek Declaration on the 25th Anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, setting the stage for the organization's next phase of development.

They also agreed to implement the decisions made at the Tianjin summit in 2025, advanced the implementation of the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, approved the protocol on amendments and additions to the SCO Charter, and adopted 28 outcome documents covering areas such as security, economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and organizational development, which injects new momentum into the SCO's pursuit of higher-quality development.

In advancing the SCO's development, China has been an architect and a driving force, helping chart the organization's future course.

China is committed to designating the organization as a priority for high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.

China will also take corresponding measures to enhance the organization's action capabilities and influence, and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech on Tuesday titled Toward Higher-Quality Development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In his speech, Xi put forward a four-point proposal at the summit, calling on the SCO to stay committed to putting development and the people first, taking security as a key goal, and promoting dialogue and consultation.

Practical development cooperation is an important bond that maintains the unity of the SCO.

The member states of the SCO have strong complementarity in terms of resource endowment and industrial structure, and their economic and trade cooperation is highly dynamic.

In 2025, the total trade volume between China and other SCO member states reached $523.5 billion, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

The summit emphasized that it will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, investment, science and technology, energy, finance and connectivity, maintain the stability of the regional industrial and supply chain, and promote the sustainable development of all countries.