At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China underscored the importance of resisting external influence, asserting that the global centers of power are undergoing significant changes. This regional bloc, comprising nations that Moscow and Beijing view as a counterweight to U.S. dominance, highlighted the growing multipolarity in world affairs.
During the summit, Xi Jinping emphasized the need for member countries to “resist external interference,” advocating for mutual support and regional peace and development under their control. “We should join hands to resist external interference, firmly support each other, take care of each other’s concerns… and firmly control the future and destiny of our countries and regional peace and development in our own hands,” Xi stated. He stressed that the SCO should align itself with the right side of history, fairness, and justice.
In agreement, Putin pointed to the rise of new centers of political and economic power. He noted that the multipolar world is not just a theoretical concept but a tangible reality. Putin celebrated Belarus’s accession to the SCO, marking it as the bloc’s tenth member. He stated, “The circle of states that stand for a just world order and are ready to resolutely defend their legitimate rights and protect traditional values is expanding. New centers of power and economic growth are strengthening.”
The summit culminated in a joint declaration acknowledging “tectonic shifts in global politics” and advocating for the SCO’s enhanced role in global and regional security. The declaration highlighted increasing use of force, systemic violations of international law, growing geopolitical confrontations, and multiplying risks to stability. Additionally, it called for an “early, complete, and sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza and a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question. Although the statement did not address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or China’s dispute with Taiwan, it underscored mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Founded in 2001, the SCO has gained prominence as a platform for cooperation against Western dominance, with a focus on security and economic collaboration in Central Asia. Alongside China, Russia, and Belarus, its full members include India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. The bloc represents 40% of the global population and about 30% of the world’s gross domestic product.
Despite its unity in resisting Western hegemony, the SCO is a diverse group with internal disagreements, including territorial disputes. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has intensified major powers’ interest in Central Asia, a region where China’s Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened its ties, challenging Russia’s traditional influence. Meanwhile, the West is also seeking influence in this strategically important area, rich in oil and gas and a vital transport route between Asia and Europe.
The final declaration of the summit criticized the “unilateral and unrestricted build-up” of missile defense systems by unnamed countries and regional alliances, a clear reference to U.S. actions. Both Moscow and Beijing have long opposed the U.S. missile defense initiatives, viewing them as threats to global security and stability.
As the global centers of power continue to shift, the SCO’s role as a counterbalance to Western influence will likely grow. The bloc’s emphasis on multipolarity, regional security, and economic cooperation underscores the changing dynamics of global politics. The summit’s outcomes highlight the bloc’s commitment to a new world order where power is more evenly distributed, and traditional values are defended against external pressures.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Astana served as a platform for Russia and China to assert their vision of a multipolar world. By advocating for mutual support and regional autonomy, the leaders of these nations emphasized the need for a balanced global order, free from the dominance of any single superpower. As the world watches these developments, the future of global politics promises to be one of greater complexity and interdependence.
