BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of safeguarding “regional peace” and opposing isolationism, unilateral sanctions, and the extension of national security concepts, emphasizing the need to continue in the right direction of economic globalization.
During his address at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), President Xi called for collective efforts to ensure common security and regional stability, stating, “Achieving long-term regional peace and stability is our common responsibility,” as quoted by state news agency Xinhua. He also affirmed China’s commitment to opposing protectionism, unilateral sanctions, and the extension of national security concepts, emphasizing the need to persist in the right direction of economic globalization.
Chinese President Calls for Political Solutions to Issues
Additionally, President Xi pledged to promote political solutions to pressing international and regional issues, aiming to build a strong regional security barrier, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. The SCO summit, hosted by India as the current chair, includes the participation of leaders from Russia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries, in addition to China.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first address to the summit since a brief mutiny last month led by the head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, also spoke at the virtual meeting. China and Russia have strengthened economic cooperation and diplomatic ties in recent years, with their strategic partnership growing even closer since the conflict in Ukraine.
While China maintains a neutral stance regarding the Ukraine conflict, it has faced criticism for not condemning Moscow for its offensive actions. During a summit in Moscow earlier this year, President Xi invited President Putin to visit Beijing, and both leaders declared that their bilateral ties were entering a new era.
The SCO summit serves as a platform for discussions on regional cooperation and security among its eight member countries. President Xi’s address underlines China’s commitment to regional peace, economic globalization, and political dialogue as means to address pressing issues and enhance regional security.
