Tianjin, China – At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, China unveiled a sweeping package of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional collaboration in education, technology, and economic development. The announcements, made by Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, underscore Beijing’s long-term vision for deeper engagement with SCO member states.
Xu confirmed that China will roll out 100 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects across SCO countries this year, backed by a RMB 2 billion yuan grant. In addition, China plans to extend RMB 10 billion yuan in loans over the next three years through the SCO Interbank Consortium to support development across the bloc.
Education and Talent Development Drive
Highlighting China’s focus on human capital, Xu revealed that from 2026, SCO-specific scholarships will be doubled and a new SCO Innovative PhD programme will be launched. This initiative aims to nurture high-caliber talent in science, technology, and academic research. Over the next five years, China also pledged to set up 10 Luban Workshops in SCO nations and provide 10,000 training opportunities for human resources development.
Xi Jinping’s Vision for Shared Growth
During the summit, President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan hosted a welcoming banquet for global dignitaries. In his keynote address, Xi emphasized that the SCO has evolved into a powerful force in shaping international relations and building “a community with a shared future for humanity.” He called for deeper collaboration in energy, infrastructure, digital economy, technological innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI).
AI Cooperation Takes Center Stage
AI cooperation emerged as a central theme of the 2025 Summit. The Tianjin Declaration of the SCO Council of Heads of State reaffirmed a collective commitment to responsible AI development. Building on the UN General Assembly Resolution on AI capacity building, SCO members – including India – pledged to ensure AI technologies remain secure, accountable, transparent, and inclusive. The declaration also endorsed the Roadmap for Implementing the SCO Member States’ AI Cooperation Programme (Chengdu, June 12, 2025).
India’s participation in shaping these discussions highlighted its growing strategic role in the global AI ecosystem. The joint efforts aim not only to minimize risks but also to maximize the benefits of AI for society and the economy.
A Futuristic Touch at the Summit
Adding to the summit’s spotlight on innovation, a humanoid AI robot named Xiao was deployed to assist media personnel and delegates. With advanced capabilities and a strikingly human-like design, Xiao drew widespread attention and symbolized the future-driven focus of this year’s SCO gathering.
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