CGTN: Entering its 25th Year, SCO Opens New Opportunities for Regional Development
CGTN reviews the journey of the SCO, which has evolved from a security-focused cooperation mechanism into a regional cooperation platform covering various fields, ranging from economic development to technological innovation. CGTN also discusses China’s role in strengthening cooperation within the organisation.
Beijing, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) - In the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan, a vast solar power plant is now transforming the landscape of the Gobi Desert. Tens of thousands of photovoltaic panels stretch across the arid land to capture sunlight and generate clean energy.
Last March, the first phase of the power plant project began commercial operations. Built and operated by a Chinese company, the project is expected to generate 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year once all construction stages are complete, which is sufficient to meet the needs of approximately 400,000 residents.
This solar power plant serves as one of the latest examples of the tangible results of cooperation between China and the SCO in promoting development. Over the past 25 years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has grown from a regional security mechanism into a broader vessel for cooperation. Simultaneously, economic development has become one of the SCO’s primary focuses.
Development as a Priority to Drive Collective Prosperity
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 26th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, coinciding with the celebration of the organisation’s 25th anniversary.
In his speech, Xi presented four proposals to drive the future development of the SCO. One of the priorities is to place development at the centre of the agenda to promote collective prosperity among SCO member states.
Xi also emphasised the importance of the ‘Shanghai Spirit’, which encompasses mutual trust, collective benefit, the principle of equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilisations, and efforts to achieve collective development. According to Xi, the Shanghai Spirit is the most precious spiritual asset for the SCO.
In its 25-year journey, the SCO has continued to strengthen trade, deepen investment ties, and enhance regional connectivity. These developments are opening more opportunities for regional economic growth.
The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is one such example. Construction of the line officially commenced in December 2024. Once completed, it will serve as a vital transport corridor connecting China to Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region. Its presence is expected to increase trade efficiency while unlocking new economic opportunities.
A number of cooperation platforms have also helped strengthen economic ties between SCO member states. Last month, a regional economic and trade cooperation conference in Bishkek brought together over 100 companies and resulted in 193 cooperation agreements, with trade transactions valued at approximately RMB 1.74 billion (US$259 million). Meanwhile, the China-SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform, launched in Tianjin a year ago, has facilitated 29 cross-border cooperation projects. These projects encompass computing infrastructure, digital trade, and commercial aerospace.
Over the past 25 years, the SCO has evolved into one of the primary platforms for regional cooperation. Economic cooperation within the organisation has shifted from individual projects towards a stronger institutional framework, and from bilateral cooperation towards multilateral coordination. This shift is paving the way for a more integrated, high-quality, and sustainable regional development.
China Drives the Strengthening of SCO Cooperation
At the summit on Tuesday, Xi stated that China places the SCO as a priority in strengthening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and implementing the Global Development Initiative.
China, Xi continued, will continue to organise various activities such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Expo. China will also develop international cooperation centres for artificial intelligence applications alongside SCO nations, implement 100 technology cooperation projects with other member states over the next three years, and develop more talent in green industries through China-SCO cooperation.
As one of the founding members of the SCO, China has played a vital role in promoting practical cooperation within the organisation.
Shortly after the SCO was established, China proposed increasing trade and investment facilities among member states. In 2003, the SCO adopted a multilateral economic cooperation programme with a three-stage roadmap. In the short term, the programme aims to increase trade and investment facilitation. In the medium term, the focus is on building stable and transparent rules. In the long term, the programme is directed towards gradually promoting the freer flow of goods, capital, services, and technology.
China also provides financial support for various regional cooperation projects. As of July 2025, China’s cumulative investment in other SCO member states has exceeded US$84 billion. This figure makes China the largest source of investment and financing for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.
At the Tianjin Summit last year, China proposed the establishment of cooperation platforms in the fields of energy, green industry, and the digital economy, as well as centres for scientific innovation, higher education, and vocational education. These six initiatives have now been launched and have resulted in more than 160 cooperation projects covering clean energy, digital applications, and human resource development.
Egor Prokhin, a researcher at the Higher School of Economics in Russia, assessed that China plays a central role in the development of the SCO.
“The Belt and Road Initiative has also enhanced con…