Chinese President Xi Jinping used his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on Monday to caution against “Cold War mentality, block confrontation and bullying,” remarks widely seen as directed at the United States amid ongoing tariff disputes and strategic rivalry.

Speaking at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Tianjin, Xi urged member nations to promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world” and “inclusive economic globalisation.” He called for upholding fairness, supporting the United Nations-led system, and defending the World Trade Organization’s multilateral framework.

Xi also pushed for deeper reforms within the SCO, including the establishment of a Development Bank, an Integrated Center for Addressing Security Threats, and a Narcotics Control Center to strengthen collective capacity in security and economic cooperation.

Emphasizing the SCO’s founding spirit of mutual trust and shared development, Xi urged members to “seek common ground while reserving differences,” respect civilizational diversity, and expand cultural and economic exchanges. He described the grouping as a “garden of civilizations where self-improvement, mutual benefit, and harmonious coexistence flourish.”

Founded in 2001, the SCO includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, with Iran and Belarus as new members. It also counts Afghanistan and Mongolia as observers, alongside 14 dialogue partners including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Xi’s remarks come as Beijing faces heightened tensions with Washington, especially over trade restrictions, technology competition, and security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. His call for unity and reform within the SCO highlighted China’s push to counterbalance Western influence in global governance.