Tianjin, China (Sept 1, 2025): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a new global security and economic order prioritizing the Global South, in what observers see as a direct challenge to the United States. Xi’s remarks came during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, attended by over 20 world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We must continue to take a clear stand against hegemonism and power politics, and practise true multilateralism,” Xi said, in what appeared to be a veiled criticism of U.S. policies, including former President Donald Trump’s tariffs. “Global governance has reached a new crossroads,” he added.
A Show of Solidarity
The summit projected an image of unity among non-Western powers. Cameras captured Xi flanked by Putin and Modi, the three leaders holding hands and walking together before the opening session. Later, Modi shared a ride with Putin in the Russian leader’s armoured Aurus limousine ahead of a bilateral meeting.
“Conversations with him are always insightful,” Modi posted on X after his talks with Putin, who addressed him warmly as “Dear friend.”
Both India and China are among the biggest buyers of Russian crude oil, making them critical partners for Moscow amid Western sanctions following the Ukraine war.
Xi’s “Global Governance Initiative”
Xi introduced his Global Governance Initiative, urging member states to embrace inclusive globalization and reject what he described as U.S.-centric systems. While details remained vague, Xi proposed:
- The creation of a new SCO development bank.
- $280 million in free aid and $1.4 billion in loans to SCO members.
- Establishment of an AI cooperation centre for SCO nations.
- An invitation for members to join China’s lunar research station project.
Beijing is also working to repair strained ties with India. Modi’s visit to China—the first in seven years—was marked by a joint statement that the two countries are “development partners, not rivals,” with pledges to boost trade.
Putin: A New Eurasian Security Model
Putin echoed Xi’s call for alternatives to the Western-led order, saying the SCO was laying the foundation for “a new system of stability and security in Eurasia.” He emphasized using national currencies in trade, describing it as a way to bypass the dominance of the U.S. dollar and shield countries from sanctions.
“This security system, unlike Euro-centric and Euro-Atlantic models, would genuinely consider the interests of a broad range of countries,” Putin said.
What’s Next
Xi is expected to further showcase China’s rising global influence with a massive military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are also expected to attend the event, where China will unveil its latest military technology.
The summit has reinforced Xi’s ambition to present China—and the SCO—as a counterweight to the Western-led order, positioning the bloc as a platform for economic cooperation, security, and technological advancement across Eurasia and the Global South.
