Xi Calls for Greater SCO Cooperation in AI, Green Energy, Port Economy

Summary

The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Bishkek on September 1. In his address, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the SCO's transformation over 25 years into the largest regional cooperation organisation by geographic scope and population. China pledged to establish an international AI application cooperation centre for member states, push forward new projects adding 10 million kilowatts of photovoltaic and 10 million kilowatts of wind power capacity, implement 100 science and technology cooperation projects over the next three years, and set up a China-SCO Port Economy Cooperation Centre in Tianjin.

Xi underscored the importance of prioritising development, security and people-centred approaches, promoting dialogue and consultation, supporting institutional improvements, and welcoming more countries to join as partners.

Commentary

Now 25 years old, the SCO accounts for roughly 40 percent of the global population and a quarter of world GDP. China's announced initiatives—spanning an AI cooperation centre, a port economy hub in Tianjin, and upgrades to the Trans-Caspian corridor—are poised to accelerate digitalisation and supply-chain integration across Central and South Asia. For New Zealand SMEs, the Tianjin port centre could reduce transshipment costs from western China to Central Asia, offering an indirect route into that market via China, particularly for agritech and green energy equipment.

However, regional rules and standards remain largely shaped by China and Russia. Non-member countries must navigate local certification, cross-border payment complexities and geopolitical volatility. SCO projects tend to follow a bilateral model, so NZ firms would be wise to track tenders through Chinese partners or the WTO framework rather than waiting for broader market opening.

Keywords: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Xi Jinping, Bishkek, 25th anniversary, science and technology cooperation, photovoltaic, wind power, port economy

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

上海合作组织成员国元首理事会第二十六次会议9月1日在比什凯克举行。中国国家主席习近平发表讲话，指出上合组织成立25年来已成为世界上幅员最广、人口最多的区域合作组织。中方宣布将面向成员国建设国际人工智能应用合作中心，继续推进新增“千万千瓦光伏”“千万千瓦风电”项目建设，未来3年联合实施100个科技合作项目，并在天津成立中国－上海合作组织口岸经济合作中心。

习近平强调坚持发展优先、安全为要、以人为本、对话协商，支持完善运作机制，欢迎更多国家成为伙伴。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

成立25年的上合组织覆盖全球约四成人口与四分之一GDP，中方宣布的AI合作中心、天津口岸经济中心及跨里海走廊提质，将加速中亚与南亚供应链数字化与物流整合。对NZ SME，天津口岸中心可能降低中国西部至中亚的转运成本，为经中国布局该市场的出口商提供间接通道，尤以农业科技、绿色能源设备为切入点。但区域规则与标准仍由中俄主导，非成员国需应对本地认证、跨境支付及地缘政治波动。

上合项目多循双边模式，NZ企业宜借中国伙伴或世贸框架跟踪招标，避免等待整体市场开放。

关键词: 上海合作组织, 习近平, 比什凯克, 25周年, 科技合作, 光伏, 风电, 口岸经济

Source: China.org.cn