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瓦西姆·伊沙克
Waseem Ishaque
·太和智库高级研究员
·Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute
Introduction
The "Shanghai Spirit" embodies mutual respect, inclusivity, and sustainable collaboration among member states. It upholds the SCO's dedication to peace, development, and multipolarity, empowering the organization to promote regional stability and foster South-South cooperation amid the challenges of an increasingly turbulent global landscape.
Pakistan successfully hosted the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024. This marked a significant achievement for Pakistan, as it remained in the background for 28 years. The summit brought together heads of government, including nine premiers, three ministers, and around 900 delegates, as well as media from all over the world.
The SCO has grown into a group of 26 countries, including ten member states, two observer states, and 14 dialogue partners. Collectively, these nations comprise roughly 45% of the global population, cover 65% of the Eurasian continent and account for 24% of the global GDP. The organization has established itself as a platform with shared interests to pursue stability and development across the member countries. This role has become increasingly significant amid profound changes and turbulence currently witnessed in the international system, in relation to the primary objectives of the SCO to reduce the risk of conflict between member states and jointly combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
Promoting Equitable International Norms The SCO member states support the rights of people to freely determine their political, social, and economic pathways of development. This group underscores the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, and the non-use of threat of force as the foundations for sustainable international relations. Reiterating their dedication to resolving differences and disputes via dialogue and consultations, the SCO advocates for a cooperative paradigm that transcends zero-sum approaches and prioritizes collective gains for the greater benefit of humanity at large. Amplifying the Global South's Voice The SCO has progressively evolved into a platform for elevating the perspectives of the Global South. By facilitating communication and collaboration among emerging economies and non-Western countries, the SCO champions principles of multipolarity and sovereignty, contesting Western-centric paradigms. Addressing prevalent issues like security, economic development, and regional stability, the SCO provides opportunities to the countries of the Global South to promote equitable global governance, fair economic systems, and sustainable development. The incorporation of nations such as Pakistan and Iran expands the scope, rendering the SCO a significant platform for South-South collaboration and collective action within a shifting geopolitical context. "Shanghai Spirit" Supports a Just World Order The SCO meeting highlighted the "Shanghai Spirit," a guiding principle that prioritizes mutual trust, equality, mutual benefit, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of shared development. These core values distinguish the SCO from other international organizations by fostering a cooperative and non-confrontational approach to global issues. "Shanghai Spirit" encourages dialogue over conflict and promotes peaceful coexistence among its members, including countries with different political systems and historical backgrounds. By prioritizing consensus-building and inclusivity, the SCO ensures that all member states, whether large or small, have a voice in decision-making processes, reinforcing a spirit of unity and collaboration in tackling shared challenges like terrorism, extremism, and regional instability. Moreover, the "Shanghai Spirit" extends beyond security and political cooperation to include economic and cultural collaboration. The SCO encourages sustainable economic partnerships, promotes regional connectivity, and invests in human development. It underscores the importance of respecting cultural diversity, fostering people-to-people exchanges, and promoting mutual assimilation among the civilizations. This holistic approach reflects the SCO's vision of creating a multipolar world order grounded in principles of fairness, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. Upholding the "Shanghai Spirit" has allowed the SCO to remain a platform for peaceful cooperation, even as its member states navigate complex global shifts, ensuring its relevance in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world order. Advocating Multipolarity and Inclusivity The SCO advocates for multipolarity, embodying the collective aspiration of its member states to establish a more equitable and inclusive global order. The organization unites significant powers such as China, Russia, and India, together with many Central Asian countries, providing a cooperative framework that contrasts with a unipolar world led by Western-dominated systems and states. The emphasis on political, economic, and security cooperation cultivates an environment conducive to the coexistence and influence of multiple power centers in global affairs. The SCO underscores the significance of sovereign equality and non-interference through initiatives in regional security, counterterrorism, and economic integration, advocating for a global order devoid of undue influence by any single nation or bloc. This commitment to multipolarity corresponds with the aspirations of numerous Global South nations desiring enhanced representation and autonomy within international institutions. The SCO aims to create a new international order, but it seeks to achieve this not by initiating a new one from the beginning, but by reforming the current one. SCO members believe that "might is not always right"; sovereignty matters, and confrontations poison interstate relations. Therefore, the SCO aims to enhance the representation and impact of developing countries in global governance by adopting a path of consultations in close collaboration with the United Nations under the existing framework. Its expansion is proof that member states have fully recognized the value of the "Shanghai Spirit," pledging to strengthen unity, cooperation, and mutual coordination and support other member states' efforts to maintain the path of development. Therefore, the cooperation and coordination within the framework of the SCO can set a basis for the expansion of multilateralism, help navigate global issues, and offer hope for a better future and prosperity. A Platform for Peace and Stability Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has demonstrated its capacity to offer stability and prosperity not only to its members, but also to other nations in Eurasia, which accounts for its recent expansion with the inclusion of new members such as Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, and India. Amidst the current global turbulence, exemplified by the Ukraine crisis and escalating Middle Eastern conflicts, certain international institutions, such as the US-led NATO, are exacerbating tensions between nations and various geopolitical blocs. Consequently, the SCO, which advocates against bloc confrontation and promotes cooperation and peace, has assumed a more pronounced role, voice, and acceptability globally. In addition to enhancing economic cooperation, interconnectivity, integration, and security collaboration, the SCO serves as a forum for member states to address issues through diplomatic means. It is believed that conflicts or tensions among members will not diminish the organization, but instead enhance its value for countries seeking solutions for complex challenges. Against that backdrop, the SCO meeting in Islamabad offered a platform for countries to engage in dialogue and address conflicting issues in a highly congenial atmosphere, thereby averting escalation and exploring avenues to alleviate tensions. A primary emphasis of the SCO is the eradication of terrorism, a challenge that profoundly impacts member nations. China's dedication to eliminating all manifestations of extremism and terrorism reflects its overarching objective of attaining enduring peace. The emergence of non-state actors in the region poses a significant risk of exacerbating political instability, underscoring the imperative for a coordinated response. The SCO serves as an ideal platform for the exchange of ideas through dialogues, enabling member states to engage candidly on multidimensional matters. The organization professes that it will neither pursue confrontation nor contrive an adversary to maintain its vitality and importance. The SCO possesses considerable potential to tackle rising security challenges by promoting collaboration among the member states with the shared objective of achieving peace. As the international focus shifts to governance and security challenges in South and Central Asia, organizations such as the SCO provide developing nations a voice to express their concerns and collaborate on resolutions through a mutual dialogue framework. The organization seeks cooperation for common security and development among its members, as well as the broader international community. This outlook aligns with China's proposal for a new type of international relations, based on promoting mutual respect and building a community with a shared future. The SCO member states have affirmed that this development would be unattainable without stability and have thus agreed on a comprehensive strategy for combating the "three evil forces": terrorism, separatism, and extremism. SCO Backs the Belt and Road Initiative By reaffirming support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the Islamabad meeting, SCO member states recognized the initiative's capacity to reshape the economic landscape through the development of transportation networks, energy infrastructure, and trade corridors. It was agreed during the meeting that investment in regional infrastructure initiatives, including transportation and energy corridors, is essential for economic integration. Consequently, initiatives like the BRI, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) may be broadened to enhance connectivity, encompassing roads, railways, and digital infrastructure. It was also agreed that enhancing transit connections among SCO nations and establishing dependable logistics channels is a paramount goal. Optimizing transit capabilities in both East-West and North-South corridors not only enhances cargo movement but also facilitates travel for citizens. Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for SCO member states to "facilitate regional trade and investment, enhance connectivity, and maintain stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains," as these aspects are vital for enhancing transit routes and communication links to foster regional cooperation. Plans for SCO Development Bank to Move Forward The leaders of the SCO member states resolved to accelerate consultations for the creation of financial institutions to enhance economic collaboration among the member states. In accordance with the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States' decision of July 4, 2024, regarding financial support mechanisms for project activities, the heads of delegations directed the designated ministries and departments of member states to push ahead with discussions on the creation of the SCO Development Bank, the SCO Development Fund (Special Account), and, among interested parties, the SCO Investment Fund. The proposed SCO Development Bank aims to finance infrastructure projects, whilst the SCO Development Fund is designed to provide funding for various economic undertakings like energy, transportation, and telecommunications. The purpose of this venture is to reduce reliance on external financial institutions and foster economic growth among member states by offering alternative funding options. Additionally, in order to reduce the dependence on the US dollar, bilateral currency exchanges enabling member states to exert greater control over their economic engagements and financial policies have been significantly emphasized. Response to Evolving Geopolitical Turbulence The SCO has adjusted to evolving geopolitical turbulence by prioritizing regional stability, collective security, and enhanced diplomatic engagements. In response to the evolving global dynamics, including great power rivalry and regional conflicts, the SCO has enhanced its security collaboration, particularly through projects like counterterrorism and cybersecurity. The organization's capacity to alleviate tensions among its members underscores its function as a forum for resolving issues through consultation and robust diplomacy. As global power dynamics evolve and new challenges arise, the SCO has established itself as a pivotal entity in fostering a multipolar system characterized by collaboration rather than confrontation in the international arena. The SCO has broadened its emphasis on economic resilience and connectivity, alongside security, in response to global economic tremors and problems arising from biased sanctions and trade policies. The organization aims to deepen regional integration via initiatives like the BRI to establish alternative economic routes that can protect its members from external disruptions. The inclusion of new members and dialogue partners from the Middle East and South Asia further enhances the SCO's significance, enabling it to tackle a wider array of geopolitical issues. The SCO's agility and emphasis on cooperation, rather than exclusion, render it a pivotal entity in establishing a more stable and balanced international order amidst evolving turbulent international order. Opposing Sanctions and Protectionism In Islamabad, the SCO members adopted a unified position against unilateral sanctions and protectionist trade measures, which were perceived as impediments to open trade and economic cooperation. They contended that sanctions erode the sovereignty of nations and destabilize global economic and trade exchanges. They pledged to promote multilateral cooperation wherein nations engage in free trade and prioritize adherence to international law over unilateral measures. It was strongly emphasized that the unilateral imposition of sanctions contravenes the principles of international law and adversely affects fair trade and economic relations. In a strong voice, the members opposed protectionist measures and restrictions that undermine the international trading system and hinder global sustainable development. They urged collaborative endeavors to combat protectionist trade policies that contravene WTO rules and regulations, while also advancing the strengthening of a rules-based WTO and a non-discriminatory, open, equitable, inclusive, and transparent global trading system. Conclusion The SCO has evolved over the last 23 years into a platform of peace and tranquility, advocating cultural diversity and people-to-people diplomacy while providing an active voice to the countries of the Global South, moving beyond the zero-sum paradigm. The 23rd SCO meeting concluded on a high note, with all members agreeing on the joint communique, which demonstrates broad consensus among participants.
The above contents only represent the views of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of Taihe Institute.
TI Observer (TIO) is an online monthly English publication produced by Taihe Institute. TIO is dedicated to promoting transnational interaction and mutual understanding, thus bridging the gap of misunderstanding and bringing China and the world closer to each other.