A Kyrgyz expert emphasized that China fulfills its commitments to support Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states without imposing political conditions, stating that this approach embodies the “Shanghai Spirit,” which highlights mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development.
China plays a significant role in the SCO and serves as the driving force behind the organization’s development, said Kyrgyz expert Igor Shestakov.
“China plays a key role in the development of the SCO, and the numbers speak for themselves,” Shestakov told Xinhua in a recent interview.
From January to July 2025, China’s total imports and exports with other SCO members reached 2.11 trillion yuan (about 295 billion U.S. dollars), marking a 3 percent increase year on year. In 2024 alone, China’s trade with SCO countries amounted to 3.65 trillion yuan (about 510 billion U.S. dollars), representing a 36.3-fold increase compared to the time the organization was established.
Shestakov noted that China is not only expanding trade and economic cooperation but also investing in infrastructure projects developed by SCO countries, emphasizing the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in this regard.
The expert explained that China’s efforts to develop the SCO and the BRI are complementary, covering areas such as infrastructure, energy, the digital economy, agriculture, and environmental protection.
Shestakov reiterated that China’s support without political conditions best reflects the Shanghai Spirit. He also highlighted that China is one of the main sources of investment for Central Asian countries, and the economic development of SCO member states is closely linked to Chinese investments.
“Large infrastructure projects, such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, create new trade routes and contribute to regional development, especially in contexts of limited internal resources,” he said.
Shestakov added that attracting investment is one of the most effective ways to develop national economies, not only within the SCO but also across the Global South, and that China serves as a “model and example” in this respect.
He further emphasized the Global South’s advocacy for a multipolar world order, rejecting domination by any single state, just as the SCO does. “This is also a very important moment for solidarity among Global South countries, with China playing a key role in this process.”