Speech at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States

(November 18, 2025, Moscow)

Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

Your Excellency Prime Minister Mishustin, Colleagues:

It is a great pleasure to join you all again at the SCO Heads of Government Summit. Over the past year, the international situation has undergone many new changes. Various forms of unilateralism and protectionism, especially the increase in trade barriers such as high tariffs, have severely impacted the international trade order and posed enormous challenges to the development of many countries.

At the SCO Tianjin Summit held this September, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed a global governance initiative, profoundly elaborating on the principles, methods, and paths that need to be followed in reforming and improving global governance. This provided Chinese wisdom and solutions for the international community to jointly address global changes and solve pressing problems. As an important force in the construction and reform of the global governance system, the SCO has both the conditions and the capability to play a greater role in promoting "world governance" by taking the joint implementation of the global governance initiative as an opportunity.

First, the SCO leverages its unique advantages. Since its establishment, the SCO has actively participated in international and regional affairs, developing its own unique principles and approaches, which provide favorable conditions for implementing global governance initiatives. First, there is a high degree of alignment in their philosophies. From its inception, the SCO clearly stated its aim to promote a more democratic, just, and rational international political and economic order. For a long time, the SCO has consistently upheld the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development. These principles are highly consistent with the core concepts of global governance initiatives. Second, there is rich practical experience. SCO member states have transcended differences in history, culture, and social systems, effectively handling contradictions and disagreements, gradually enhancing trust and understanding, and forging a new path of harmony in diversity, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation. This has effectively maintained regional peace and stability and set a successful example for improving global governance. Third, the mechanisms provide solid guarantees. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) does not form closed "small circles." It maintains an open attitude, attracting like-minded partners and establishing more than 50 cooperation mechanisms covering political, economic, security, and cultural fields, providing an effective platform for equal consultation and joint development. We should make full use of these advantages and play a greater role in global governance.

Second, we should focus on the two key areas of development and security. Reforming and improving global governance requires consensus and coordinated action from all parties. Many of the world's current problems still need to be solved through development, necessitating a safe and stable environment. We should adhere to cooperation in pursuing development and security, striving to achieve greater governance results. On the one hand, we should jointly build an open and inclusive world economy. Currently, the international community generally expects to reduce barriers, expand openness, facilitate trade and economic circulation, and promote global economic recovery. China is willing to work with all SCO parties to more firmly embrace global free trade and regional economic integration, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, implement the action plan for high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation, accelerate infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, and financial integration, unleash the potential of the regional market, and inject positive energy into maintaining the stability and smooth flow of global supply chains and promoting inclusive economic globalization. On the other hand, we should promote universal security and lasting peace. Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, the SCO should further strengthen its security cooperation mechanisms, promote more efficient coordination of security forces and resources among member states, and improve its response mechanisms to various threats, including the "three evil forces," transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and cyberattacks, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and safeguarding regional stability and development. China is willing to work with all parties to expedite the establishment of the "four security centers" and ensure they play a vital role as soon as possible. We must be courageous in standing firm in a turbulent world, urging the international community to jointly uphold fairness and justice, respect each other's legitimate concerns, and work together to maintain peace and tranquility.

Third, we must unleash the powerful vitality of innovation and transformation. Digitalization, intelligentization, and green development are important directions for future development. Strengthening global governance should encourage all parties to actively pool their efforts and share opportunities and achievements in relevant fields. We must jointly cultivate and strengthen emerging drivers of growth. Technological achievements such as artificial intelligence are the common wealth of all mankind. Artificially hindering technological exchange and creating developmental divisions will only plunge the world into more conflict. The SCO should strengthen cooperation in science and technology and industrial innovation. China welcomes all parties to actively participate in the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the China-SCO Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Forum, jointly building and utilizing the China-SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform and the Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Center to better benefit the people of all countries through technological progress. We must work together to promote green and low-carbon transformation. The SCO has always prioritized energy cooperation and should continue to promote cooperation in the clean and efficient use of traditional energy and the installation of renewable energy power generation capacity, contributing to global efforts to address climate change. China is willing to work with all SCO parties to solidly advance the addition of 10 million kilowatts of photovoltaic and 10 million kilowatts of wind power projects over the next five years, better promoting regional and global sustainable development.

At the SCO Tianjin Summit, participating leaders jointly approved the "SCO Development Strategy for the Next 10 Years (2026-2035)," clarifying the direction for cooperation in the next decade and outlining a grand and promising vision. Achieving these goals and visions requires a stronger SCO, enhanced overall coordination and work implementation, a more robust security guarantee, stronger economic growth, and a more attractive cultural character. China is willing to work with all member states to continuously improve and strengthen the SCO. First, we will place greater emphasis on strategic coordination to further enhance the organization's cohesion. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, SCO member states have always respected and trusted each other, treating each other as equals—a crucial political foundation for the smooth progress of our cooperation. In the current context of accelerated global transformation and increasing regional instability and conflict, we must uphold this fine tradition, deepen strategic communication, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, work together with one heart and one mind, jointly address risks and challenges, and jointly promote development and prosperity. Second, we will effectively promote the implementation of cooperation to further enhance the organization's operational capacity. As the Chinese saying goes, "One part planning, nine parts implementation." The Tianjin Summit put forward 70 initiatives to promote cooperation in various fields within the SCO. We should take proactive steps to develop work plans and refine implementation paths for each initiative, striving to achieve tangible results as soon as possible. Regarding financial support, we should continue to encourage member states to strengthen financial cooperation and enhance regional financial stability and autonomy. China is willing to work closely with all member states to establish the SCO Development Bank as soon as possible. China proposes the establishment of the China-SCO Metabolic Disease Cooperation Center, aiming to improve the well-being of the people in member states. Thirdly, we should optimize and improve the operational mechanism to further expand the organization's influence. The SCO has grown into the world's largest regional organization, with its influence and attractiveness steadily increasing. We should continue to improve the "SCO Partnership" system, make good use of the "SCO+" model, open our doors to more countries and international organizations that recognize the "Shanghai Spirit," and strengthen the positive energy of global governance. At the same time, we should strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the SCO and multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, promoting all parties to practice genuine multilateralism and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). China fully supports Kyrgyzstan in fulfilling its responsibilities as chair country. Let us work together to promote the "Shanghai Spirit," strengthen mutual support and closer solidarity and cooperation, jointly reform and improve global governance, and create a bright future of peace, stability, prosperity, and development for the region and the world.