(ECNS) -- Reviewing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin this year, Oleg Kopylov, the organization's Deputy Secretary-General, noted that as one of the most important diplomatic events hosted by China during its SCO rotating chairmanship, the summit achieved substantial results with far-reaching impact. Kopylov made the remarks during an exclusive interview with China News Network.
He spoke highly of China's efforts and contributions during its 2024–2025 chairmanship, stating that China has always focused on tangible results: less talk, more action, and a strong emphasis on effectiveness.
He noted that the Tianjin Summit was not only a high-level international gathering, but also one that defined the direction of the SCO's development for the next decade, fully demonstrating the contemporary relevance of the Shanghai Spirit and highlighting China's important leading role in advancing multilateral cooperation.
High-level roadmap outlined
Reflecting on the summit, Kopylov described it as "a truly large-scale international event." He said that, while successfully held during China's chairmanship, the summit reached the highest standards in terms of organizational capacity, agenda-setting, and substantive outcomes.
At the summit, leaders of SCO member states signed and released the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and approved the SCO Development Strategy for the Next Ten Years (2026–2035). They also issued statements marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II and the founding of the United Nations, along with a statement in support of the multilateral trading system.
In total, 24 outcome documents were adopted, covering cooperation in security, economic development, people-to-people exchanges, and institutional building.
"These documents together form a roadmap for the SCO's development over the next decade," Kopylov emphasized, describing them as strategic achievements with top-level design significance.
High praise for China's chairmanship
This year marked China's fifth time hosting an SCO summit and the largest such event in the organization's history. With the conclusion of the summit, China officially completed its term as the SCO rotating chair for 2024–2025. Kopylov spoke highly of China's performance during this period.
According to reports, China hosted 187 events during its chairmanship, reached a series of cooperation consensuses with SCO countries, released 90 outcome documents, and proposed 36 initiatives to promote the organization's development.
"One of China's most distinctive features is its consistent focus on tangible results," Kopylov said. "It is precisely this results-oriented approach that has enabled the SCO to advance to a new stage of development. Less talk, more action, and a strong emphasis on effectiveness—this has been widely recognized by leaders of all member states."
He stressed that even after concluding its chairmanship, China continues, as a founding member, to push forward the implementation of outcomes and propose new initiatives. "China's active role in the SCO's development is evident and will continue," he noted.
SCO platform as emerging stage for global initiatives
Discussing the SCO's role in the evolving international landscape, Kopylov said the organization has become deeply integrated into Eurasian and global international relations, and is an important component of the emerging new world system.
"The essence of relations among SCO countries lies in opposing confrontation, rejecting hegemonism and power politics, and respecting each country's independently chosen development path," he said. Member states, he added, share a high degree of consensus on peace, security, stability, common development, and respect for civilizational diversity.
Kopylov also highlighted the significance of President Xi Jinping's proposal of the Global Governance Initiative within the SCO framework. In his view, the initiative reflects China's systematic thinking on improving global governance and underscores the growing authority of the SCO platform, which is increasingly becoming an important venue for world leaders to introduce major global initiatives.
"The initiative advocates a just multilateral international order, opposes hegemonism, and upholds a people-centered development philosophy," he said. "All of these are fully aligned with the Shanghai Spirit and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."
Confidence in the SCO's future
Looking ahead, Kopylov expressed strong confidence in the SCO's future development.
"We have never pursued mechanical expansion," he said. "Yet more and more countries are seeking to join or engage with the SCO. This in itself demonstrates the strong appeal of the SCO's principles and its practical cooperation."
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