Speech by Li Qiang at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (full text) Moscow, November 18th (Xinhua)
Speech at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States
(November 18, 2025, Moscow)
Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
Respected Prime Minister Mishustin,
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to once again attend the SCO Heads of Government Meeting with all of you. In the past year, there have been many new changes in the international situation, with various unilateralism and protectionism behaviors, especially the increase of high tariffs and other economic and trade barriers, which have seriously impacted the international economic and trade order and brought huge challenges to the development of many countries.
As an important force in the construction and reform of the global governance system, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has the conditions and capabilities to play a greater role in promoting the realization of "world governance" by jointly implementing global governance initiatives.
Firstly, leverage the unique advantages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Since its establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has actively participated in international and regional affairs, forming some unique principles and methods of handling affairs, providing favorable conditions for implementing global governance initiatives. Firstly, the concept is highly compatible. At the beginning of its establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization explicitly stated the need to promote the development of the international political and economic order towards a more democratic, just, and reasonable direction. For a long time, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has always adhered to the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development. These are highly aligned with the core principles of global governance initiatives. The second is rich practical experience. The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have transcended differences in history, culture, social systems, and other aspects, handled conflicts and differences properly, gradually enhanced trust and understanding, and embarked on a new path of harmony in diversity, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit, effectively maintaining regional peace and stability and setting a successful example for improving global governance. The third is a solid mechanism guarantee. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization does not engage in closed "small circles" and adopts an open attitude to attract like-minded partners. It has established more than 50 cooperation mechanisms covering political, economic, security, cultural and other fields, providing an effective platform for equal consultation and joint development for all parties. We should make full use of these advantages and demonstrate greater achievements in global governance.
Secondly, focus on the two key areas of development and security. Reforming and improving global governance requires consensus building and coordinated action from all parties involved. Many of the problems facing the world today still need to be solved through development, and a safe and stable environment needs to be created. We should persist in seeking development and promoting security through cooperation, and strive to achieve more governance results. On the one hand, to jointly build an open and inclusive world economy. The current international community generally expects to reduce barriers, expand openness, smooth economic and trade cycles, and promote world economic recovery. China is willing to more firmly embrace global free trade and regional economic integration with all parties of the SCO, strengthen the docking of development strategies, jointly build the "the Belt and Road" in high quality, implement the high-quality development action plan for economic and trade cooperation, accelerate the realization of facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, and financial and capital connectivity, release the potential of regional markets, and inject positive energy into maintaining the stability and smoothness of the global production and supply chain, and promoting inclusive economic globalization. On the other hand, promoting universal security and lasting peace. In the face of the turbulent and intertwined international situation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should further strengthen its security cooperation mechanism, promote more efficient coordination of security forces and resources among member states, improve response mechanisms to various threats such as the "three forces", transnational organized crime, drug smuggling, and cyber attacks, enhance response effectiveness, and safeguard regional stability and development. China is willing to work with all parties to promote the establishment of regulations and systems for the "Four Security Centers" as soon as possible, and to play an important role as soon as possible. We must be brave enough to be the backbone of a turbulent world, promote the international community to defend fairness and justice, respect each other's reasonable concerns, and work together to maintain peace and tranquility.
Thirdly, stimulate strong vitality for innovation and transformation. Digitization, intelligence, and greenization are important directions for future development, and strengthening global governance should promote all parties to actively gather and share opportunities and achievements in relevant fields. We need to jointly cultivate and strengthen emerging driving forces. Artificial intelligence and other technological achievements are the common wealth of all mankind. Artificially hindering technological exchange and manufacturing development differentiation will only lead to more conflicts in the world. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization 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, and jointly build and make good use of the China SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform and the Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Center, so that scientific and technological progress can better benefit the people of all countries. We need to work together to promote green and low-carbon transformation. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has always given priority to energy cooperation and should continue to promote cooperation in the clean and efficient utilization of traditional energy and the installation of renewable energy generation capacity, making contributions to the global response to climate change. China is willing to work with all parties in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to solidly promote the addition of "10 million kilowatts of photovoltaic" and "10 million kilowatts of wind power" projects in the next five years, in order to better promote regional and global sustainable development.
At the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the attending leaders jointly approved the "SCO Development Strategy for the Next 10 Years (2026-2035)", which clarified the direction of cooperation for the next 10 years and painted a grand and beautiful picture. To achieve these goals and visions, a stronger Shanghai Cooperation Organization is needed, strengthening overall coordination and work promotion, building stronger security guarantees, achieving stronger economic growth, and forming more attractive humanistic characteristics. China is willing to work together with all member states to continuously improve and strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. One is to pay more attention to strategic synergy and further enhance organizational cohesion. No matter how the international situation changes, the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization always respect, trust and treat each other equally, which is an important political foundation for the smooth progress of our cooperation. The current century long changes in the world are accelerating, and regional turbulence and conflicts are increasing. We must adhere to this fine tradition, deepen strategic communication, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, work together with one heart, support each other, jointly respond to risks and challenges, and promote development and prosperity. The second is to effectively promote the implementation of cooperation and further enhance the organizational action capability. Chinese people often say that one minute of deployment, nine minutes of implementation. The Tianjin Summit put forward 70 initiatives to promote cooperation in various fields of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We should actively take action, formulate work plans and refine implementation paths for each item, and strive to achieve practical results as soon as possible. In terms of financial support and guarantee, we should continue to promote member countries to strengthen financial cooperation, enhance regional financial stability and autonomy. China is willing to work together with all member states to establish the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Development Bank as soon as possible. The Chinese side proposes the establishment of the China SCO Metabolic Disease Cooperation Center, aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of all member countries. The third is to optimize and improve the operational mechanism, further expanding the influence of the organization. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has grown into the world's largest regional organization, with its influence and attractiveness steadily increasing. We should continue to improve the design of the "SCO Partner" system, make good use of the "SCO+" model, open the door to more countries and international organizations that recognize the "Shanghai Spirit", and strengthen the positive energy of global governance. At the same time, we will strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, promote genuine multilateralism among all parties, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and China fully supports Kyrgyzstan in fulfilling its responsibilities as the host country. Let us promote the 'Shanghai Spirit' together, with stronger mutual support and closer unity and cooperation, work together to reform and improve global governance, and create a better future of regional and world peace, stability, prosperity, and development.
Thank you all!