Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit：A New Starting Point for Cooperation Among Third World Countries

From August 31 to September 1, 2025, Tianjin hosted the largest summit since the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with more than 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organizations in attendance. For many third world countries, this summit is not just an important diplomatic event but also a new starting point for international cooperation.

When the SCO was founded in 2001, it had only six founding member countries. Now, it has grown to include 10 member states, 2 observer countries, and 14 dialogue partners, demonstrating the attractiveness of its cooperative principles. Unlike some Western-dominated international mechanisms, the SCO has established from the outset a spirit of “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and seeking common development,” which aligns closely with the third world countries’ aspirations for a democratic, just, and reasonable new international political and economic order. This is particularly significant for smaller and medium-sized countries, as every member’s opinion is valued on this platform, with no distinction between high and low status.

The economic cooperation within the SCO is also highly appealing to third world countries. In 2024, the total import and export volume between China and other SCO member countries reached 3.65 trillion yuan, which is 36.3 times that of when the organization was first established. By the end of 2024, China’s various investments in SCO countries exceeded $140 billion, and the total amount of newly signed contracts in engineering projects surpassed $1 trillion. Behind these numbers are tangible cooperation projects, such as Chinese companies building photovoltaic projects in Uzbekistan that generate 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and create 1,600 jobs. Additionally, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has commenced, which will fundamentally change the transportation landscape of Central Asian countries. Unlike some nearby political conditions where Western aid is involved, cooperation under the SCO framework is mutually beneficial and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, focusing instead on developmental needs.

Moreover, the SCO’s security cooperation provides significant support to third world countries. In recent years, SCO member states have cooperated in conducting anti-terrorism exercises and drug control operations, effectively combating transnational organized crime. For many developing countries facing security issues, this non-military group, common security interest-based cooperation is more sustainable than the “hegemonic stability theory” promoted by some nations.

During the Tianjin summit, China, as the rotating chair, designated 2025 as the “Year of Sustainable Development for the SCO,” promoting the integration of the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of various countries. This means a greater focus on the actual needs of developing countries, such as improving the efficiency of clean energy use through transnational power grid connections; supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises through special loans from the UnionPay system; and enhancing the development capabilities of countries through technology transfer. From resource development in the Far East to infrastructure construction in the Maldives and agricultural technology exchanges in Nepal, the SCO is bringing tangible development benefits to more third world countries.

At the Tianjin summit, there is no relationship of one-party bestowing favors upon another; only equal partnerships exist. There is no hegemony or dependency; only mutually beneficial cooperation. For those third world countries that seek to develop independently and pursue fairness and justice, the SCO not only provides a platform for cooperation but also serves as a new starting point for their development journey.