The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) commenced in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1, 2026. As the organization marks its 25th anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized prioritizing development and shared prosperity among member states.

Xi arrived in Bishkek for a state visit and the summit. On the sidelines, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev stated that China has played a constructive role in the organization's development over its first 25 years.

From security to comprehensive cooperation

From six founding members, the SCO has grown into the world's largest regional organization, with 27 countries participating in cooperation across more than 50 areas. It accounts for about half of the world's population and roughly a quarter of the global economy.

Djoomart Otorbaev, former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, described the transformation: "What began as a forum for settling borders among founding members has, step by step, become the largest regional organization in the world by landmass, population, and GDP."

Kubat Rakhimov, executive director of Applicata - Centre for Strategic Solutions in Bishkek, said the SCO's most significant achievement is "not merely its survival amid a turbulent international landscape, but its unwavering commitment to the 'Shanghai Spirit,' featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development."

Prioritizing development and shared prosperity

During his speech at the summit, Xi put forward four proposals for advancing the SCO's future development. He highlighted the Shanghai Spirit as the organization's most valuable spiritual asset.

China views the SCO as a priority area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and for implementing the Global Development Initiative. Xi announced that China would continue hosting events such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Expo. Additionally, China plans to develop an international AI application cooperation center with SCO countries, implement 100 technological cooperation projects with other SCO countries in the next three years, and nurture more green industry talents through China-SCO cooperation.

Economic and trade cooperation

The depth of China-SCO economic ties is reflected in trade and investment data shared at a Chinese Commerce Ministry press conference on August 27.

As of July 2025, China's accumulated investment in other SCO member states had exceeded $84 billion, making it the largest source of investment and financing for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. China's direct investment in other SCO members reached $3.3 billion in 2025, covering oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, new energy, automobiles, and chemicals.

Various cooperation platforms are facilitating closer economic exchanges. Last month, a local economic and trade cooperation conference in Bishkek brought together more than 100 companies, resulting in 193 cooperation agreements and trade deals worth around 1.74 billion yuan ($259 million). The China-SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform, launched in Tianjin one year ago, has facilitated 29 cross-border cooperation projects covering computing infrastructure, digital trade, and commercial aerospace.

Connectivity and green cooperation

Major connectivity projects, including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, are progressing to ensure supply chain security. Construction officially began in December 2024. Once completed, the route will become a major transport corridor linking China with Central Asia and the wider Eurasian continent.

On-the-ground cooperation is visible in Bishkek, where 120 China-made electric buses produced by Anhui Ankai Automobile Co have entered regular commercial operation, serving eight major routes. Each bus travels more than 200 kilometres and carries around 900 passengers per day on average.

Green energy projects are also expanding. In Uzbekistan's Jizzakh Region, Phase I of a vast solar farm built and operated by a Chinese company began commercial operations in March. Once fully completed, the project is expected to generate 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 400,000 residents. Additionally, the Bishkek waste-to-energy project, which began operations in December 2025, represents the first such plant in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.

Global governance and institutional frameworks

The Bishkek Summit follows the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin, where member states adopted the SCO Development Strategy for 2026-2035. The political decision to establish an SCO Development Bank was also made at the Tianjin Summit, with parties accelerating consultations on the bank's governance structure and capital size. Kubat Rakhimov credited China's leadership for breaking a long-standing deadlock on the multilateral financial institution.

The Global Governance Initiative, introduced at the Tianjin Summit, has gained support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of Global Governance. Egor Prokhin, a researcher at Russia's Higher School of Economics, said China has played a central role in the SCO's development, noting that the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative closely align with the development priorities of SCO members.

The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit opened in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on July 28, 2026. The event, themed "The Shanghai Spirit in the New Era: From Shared Values to Practical Cooperation," gathered approximately 260 representatives from nearly 150 mainstream media organizations, leading think tanks, government departments, and the SCO Secretariat across member countries. The summit aims to strengthen information security within the SCO, deepen academic cooperation, and build bridges of friendship among member states.

Keynote Addresses and Strategic Focus

Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of the Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, emphasized the critical role of media and think tanks in guiding public opinion and safeguarding trust among nations. He stated that coordination between these entities provides a reliable shield against disinformation. Orunbekov expressed confidence that the summit would serve as a platform for generating new ideas and initiatives to enhance regional stability.

Xi Yanchun, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, called for media organizations and think tanks to act as bridges, seeking common ground while respecting differences. She urged participants to promote solidarity, mutual trust, and multilateralism. Yanchun highlighted the need for practical, efficient, and action-oriented cooperation to drive development and revitalization within the SCO framework.

Addressing Digital Risks and Governance

Mederbek Shermetaliev, director of the Kabar News Agency of Kyrgyzstan, noted that while digital technologies facilitate information exchange, they also introduce risks such as cybersecurity threats and disinformation. He proposed that SCO member states establish regular dialogue mechanisms among think tanks, conduct joint research, and cultivate young experts to deepen intellectual and people-to-people cooperation.

Liu Jiangping, Chinese ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, described media and think tanks as chroniclers of the times and advocates of cooperation. He stressed the global need for objective, truthful, and comprehensive reporting to overcome prejudice and bridge differences. Liu added that such cooperation is a vital way to put the Shanghai Spirit into practice amid profound changes in information dissemination methods.

Publications and Outcomes

During the summit, two key think tank reports were released:

Kadyrbek Sarbayev, a senior expert with the SCO Secretariat, stated that the summit would help deepen exchanges and contribute to the organization’s long-term development. Mirzokhid Rakhimov, head of the Department of Contemporary History at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, advocated for building on the Silk Road’s legacy to promote regional connectivity and sustainable development through deeper think tank exchanges.

What the Numbers Show

The participation of approximately 260 representatives from nearly 150 organizations underscores the SCO’s prioritization of soft power and narrative alignment. The joint hosting by Xinhua News Agency and Kabar News Agency highlights a strategic effort to integrate Chinese and Central Asian media perspectives. The release of reports in multiple languages indicates a focus on broadening the reach of SCO-aligned narratives beyond traditional diplomatic channels.