SCO's 25th Anniversary: Paving New Paths for Regional Development

As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) celebrates its 25th anniversary, significant transformations are taking place within its member states, particularly in economic development. A prime example is a vast solar power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region, which is dramatically reshaping the arid landscape of the Gobi Desert. This facility, equipped with tens of thousands of photovoltaic panels, is set to generate approximately 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, sufficient to power around 400,000 residents upon completion.

This solar energy project, developed and operated by a Chinese company, commenced its commercial operations in March, marking a tangible outcome of the ongoing collaboration between China and the SCO. The shift of the SCO from a security-focused framework to a comprehensive platform for economic cooperation and technological innovation is evident through such initiatives.

Prioritizing Development for Shared Prosperity

At a recent summit coinciding with the SCO's anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented four key proposals aimed at enhancing future cooperative efforts within the SCO. Xi emphasized the importance of placing development at the forefront and fostering shared prosperity among member nations.

He highlighted the “Shanghai Spirit,” characterized by mutual trust, reciprocity, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and a pursuit of collective growth, noting it as the organization’s most valuable asset. Over the past quarter-century, the SCO, guided by this spirit, has facilitated increased trade, closer investment ties, and stronger regional connectivity, creating new avenues for economic expansion across the region.

A tangible illustration of this cooperation is the railway link between China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, which commenced construction in December 2024. Upon completion, this corridor will connect China with Central Asia and the entire Eurasian continent, significantly enhancing trade efficiency and expanding economic prospects.

Additionally, various cooperation platforms have cultivated closer economic exchanges among SCO member states. A recent conference in Bishkek attracted over 100 businesses and resulted in 193 cooperational agreements worth approximately 1.74 billion Yuan (around $259 million). Meanwhile, a digital economy cooperation platform launched in Tianjin last year has already facilitated 29 cross-border collaborations in areas such as computing infrastructure, digital trade, and commercial aviation.

A Strong Advocate for SCO Collaboration

During the summit, Xi reiterated that China views the SCO as a focal point for quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative. He announced plans for China to continue hosting events like the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Fair, while also establishing an international cooperation center for AI applications in collaboration with SCO nations. Furthermore, China intends to implement 100 tech cooperation projects with fellow SCO countries over the next three years, aimed at training skilled professionals for the green industry.

As a founding member, China has been a driving force behind practical collaboration within the SCO. Shortly after the organization's inception, China proposed measures to enhance trade and investment facilitation among its members. In 2003, the SCO adopted a multilateral economic cooperation program featuring a three-phase roadmap for achieving trade and investment facilitation in the short-term, creating stable and transparent regulations in the medium-term, and gradually enabling freer flows of goods, capital, services, and technology in the long-term.

China’s investment in regional cooperative projects has also played a pivotal role. As of July 2025, cumulative Chinese investments in other SCO member states exceeded $84 billion, making it the largest source of investments and financing for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. At the Tianjin summit last year, China proposed various cooperation platforms in energy, green industries, digital economy, science innovation, higher education, and vocational training—initiatives that have led to over 160 cooperative projects targeting clean energy, digital applications, and talent development.

According to Egor Prokhin, a researcher at the Russian University of Economics, China has played a central role in propelling SCO development. He noted that the Belt and Road Initiative has enhanced transport and trade links across Eurasian countries, while the Global Development Initiative has contributed to economic growth and improved livelihoods in the region.

In conclusion, as the SCO marks its 25th milestone, the renewed commitment to development led by China indicates a promising trajectory for enhanced regional cooperation, technological advancement, and sustainable growth.