1. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway
The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is a critical piece of infrastructure for China’s efforts to develop its logistics network across Central Asia. The two sides also called for modernizing border crossings and strengthening “soft connectivity” by aligning institutions, standards, and rules. The project has two main practical implications: it will give China an additional westward transport route through Central Asia, while helping transform Kyrgyzstan from a peripheral endpoint into a regional transit hub. However, the railway remains under construction, and its commercial viability will ultimately depend on its costs, freight capacity, and operational efficiency.
2. China-Kyrgyzstan relations
China and Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. Compared with the previous treaty between China and the five Central Asian states, the new bilateral treaty imposes more specific restrictions. It stipulates that neither party may join an alliance or grouping that harms the other’s sovereignty, security, or territorial integrity; conclude such a treaty with a third country; allow a third country to use its territory to harm the other party’s interests; or permit organizations or groups targeting the other party to be established or operate within its territory. These provisions are stricter than the 2025 treaty’s commitment not to participate in alliances or groupings directed against the other parties. Nevertheless, the new treaty does not create a military alliance or a collective-defense arrangement: an attack on one party would not automatically oblige the other to deploy forces or provide military assistance.
3. The SCO Is Expanding Its Economic Role
Xi’s speech brings artificial intelligence, green energy, the digital economy, mineral resources, transportation, and border-port cooperation into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization framework, indicating that China wants the SCO to move beyond its traditional focus on counterterrorism and security coordination. The most substantive commitments include implementing 100 science and technology cooperation projects over the next three years, establishing an international cooperation center for AI applications, advancing solar and wind power projects, creating a port-economy cooperation center, and supporting increased exports from member states to China. However, SCO members have widely differing interests, and the organization lacks both a unified market and strong supranational institutions comparable to those of the European Union. These initiatives are therefore more likely to be implemented through separate cooperation between China and individual member states than through an integrated SCO-wide economic system.
Below are Xi’s activities during SCO, including his remarks at the SCO Plus meeting, remarks at the 26th Meeting of the Council of SCO Heads, and Xi’s talk with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov (I made with the help of AI):
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov
August 31, 2026,
On the morning of August 31, 2026 local time, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Yntymak Ordo presidential complex in Bishkek.
Bishkek was blessed with crisp autumn weather. When President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived by motorcade, they were warmly received by President Japarov and his wife Aigul Japarova.
President Japarov held a welcoming ceremony for President Xi. The two presidents stepped onto the reviewing stand as a military band played the national anthems of China and Kyrgyzstan. They reviewed the guard of honor. When President Xi reached the center of the formation, he greeted the guards in Kyrgyz, to which they responded, “Forward! Forward!” The two presidents then shook hands with members of each other’s delegations and watched the march-past. The two presidential couples entered the main hall and posed for photographs in front of the national flags of the two countries.
Following the welcoming ceremony, the two presidents held talks.
President Xi first extended, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, congratulations on Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day.
President Xi noted that, under the joint guidance of the two presidents in recent years, China-Kyrgyzstan relations have achieved leapfrog development and cooperation has flourished across the board. This cooperation has supported the development of both countries, delivered tangible benefits to their peoples, and promoted regional peace, stability and prosperity.
This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China is comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. Kyrgyzstan is also working to implement its National Development Program through 2030. China is ready to work closely with Kyrgyzstan to better align their development strategies, deepen exchanges of experience in governance, produce more tangible outcomes from practical cooperation, and further advance the building of a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.
President Xi emphasized that high-level political mutual trust and firm mutual support are important guarantees for the steady and sustained development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations. China firmly supports Kyrgyzstan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and supports the Kyrgyz people in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions. China is ready to continue firmly supporting Kyrgyzstan on issues concerning each other’s core interests.
The signing of the China-Kyrgyzstan Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation will provide an important legal foundation for enduring friendship and firm mutual support between the two countries.
President Xi called on the two sides to deepen practical cooperation. They should fully implement the intergovernmental economic and trade cooperation plan, diversify traded goods, and develop new areas of growth such as digital trade and cross-border e-commerce.
The two sides should ensure the high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a major transport artery that carries the region’s aspirations for development. They should modernize border crossings and deepen “soft connectivity” in institutions, standards and rules.
The two countries should undertake more flagship projects in fields such as renewable energy and resource recycling, implement their green-minerals cooperation documents, and pursue cooperation across entire industrial chains. They should jointly develop the Belt and Road joint laboratory, strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence and other fields, and use scientific and technological innovation to make bilateral cooperation more effective.
The two sides should also further facilitate travel between their countries and expand cooperation involving young people, the media, tourism, sports, healthcare and local governments, thereby continuing to strengthen the social and popular foundations of China-Kyrgyzstan friendship.
President Xi said that China and Kyrgyzstan should expand law-enforcement and security cooperation, jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism—the “three forces”—as well as drug trafficking and transnational crime, and work together to preserve regional peace and stability.
China supports Kyrgyzstan in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs and is ready to further strengthen coordination with Kyrgyzstan within the United Nations framework. The two sides should jointly implement the four global initiatives, oppose hegemonism and power politics, uphold genuine multilateralism, safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote a fairer and more equitable system of global governance.
As founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and Kyrgyzstan should advance the implementation of the outcomes of the Tianjin Summit, promote common regional development, and take the SCO’s development to a new level.
President Japarov said it was a great honor to receive President Xi during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence. The visit further demonstrated the deep friendship and high level of political mutual trust between Kyrgyzstan and China and represented an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations. The signing of the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation would open broader prospects for the relationship.
Kyrgyzstan and China are close neighbors, and the ancient Silk Road has long connected the two countries. In recent years, with the rapid development of the Kyrgyzstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, bilateral relations have entered a golden period and reached their highest level in history.
Kyrgyzstan appreciates China’s selfless support and assistance at every critical stage of the country’s development. The Kyrgyz side warmly congratulates China on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the start of the implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan. Kyrgyzstan admires China’s remarkable development achievements under President Xi’s leadership and is ready to learn from China’s experience in governance, particularly President Xi’s commitment expressed in the words, “I will work selflessly and live up to the people’s expectations.”
China has always been a priority in Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy and is Kyrgyzstan’s closest friend and most reliable partner. Kyrgyzstan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to deepen good-neighborly and friendly relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
Kyrgyzstan is ready to work more closely with China in trade and investment, connectivity, scientific and technological innovation, energy, minerals and the green economy. It also seeks closer exchanges in education, healthcare, culture and youth affairs. The two sides should jointly combat the “three forces” and safeguard regional security.
Kyrgyzstan is ready to actively advance construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and develop it into a “steel Silk Road” of the new era and a new link of friendship between Kyrgyzstan and China.
President Xi’s four global initiatives will help countries jointly address common challenges and build a fairer and more stable international order. Kyrgyzstan is ready to coordinate closely with China through multilateral platforms including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the China-Central Asia mechanism and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and to jointly safeguard global peace and stability.
On behalf of the Kyrgyz government and people, President Japarov expressed deep sympathy over the mudslide disaster in Gyirong, Xizang, China.
President Xi thanked him and said that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government were making every effort to search for missing Chinese and foreign nationals, relocate and resettle affected residents, treat the injured, and prevent secondary disasters. China had also provided emergency assistance to Nepal. China has both the ability and confidence to overcome the disaster and rebuild the affected communities.
Following the talks, the two presidents jointly signed:
the Joint Declaration of the People’s Republic of China and the Kyrgyz Republic on the High-Quality Development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for a New Era; and
the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Kyrgyz Republic.
They also witnessed the exchange of bilateral cooperation documents covering investment, transportation, customs and sister-city relations. During the visit, the two sides signed more than 20 additional cooperation documents in such fields as science and technology, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and the media.
At noon, President Japarov and his wife hosted a welcoming banquet for President Xi and Peng Liyuan at the Yntymak Ordo presidential complex.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi and others attended the events.
Advancing Higher-Quality Development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Address at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
President Japarov,
Colleagues,
It is a great pleasure to meet with you in Bishkek. I thank President Japarov for the thoughtful arrangements made for this meeting. Since assuming the SCO chairmanship, Kyrgyzstan has organized a wide range of productive activities under the theme “Together Toward Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.” China highly appreciates its work.
August 31 and September 1 mark the 35th anniversaries of the independence of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, respectively. On this occasion, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to President Japarov and President Mirziyoyev, and to the friendly peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Twenty-five years ago, against the backdrop of the profound lessons of the Cold War, the real threat posed by the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and the strong aspirations of the region’s peoples for peace and development, regional countries reached a broad consensus on working together to safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests. It was under these circumstances that the SCO came into being, and it has since demonstrated growing vitality.
Over the past 25 years, the SCO has traveled an extraordinary journey. Its most significant achievement has been its gradual development into a new type of regional organization with the broadest geographical coverage, the largest population and enormous development potential. Its most valuable intellectual legacy has been the pioneering formulation of—and consistent commitment to—the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and the pursuit of common development. Its most important experience has been finding the right way for countries to coexist through non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, thereby enabling regional countries to work together to build a common home.
Today, 25 years later, changes unseen in a century are accelerating. Dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum competition, and multilateralism and unilateralism are locked in intense contest, while the shadow of war has not disappeared. At this crossroads concerning humanity’s future, the SCO should shoulder its historical responsibilities and take the initiative in guiding the course of history.
First, we should prioritize development and create prospects for common prosperity.
We should promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, consolidate cooperation in traditional fields such as trade and investment, connectivity, energy and resources, and expand cooperation in emerging areas including artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green industries and green minerals. In this way, we can deepen regional cooperation and upgrade its quality.
China regards the SCO region as a priority for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and for implementing the Global Development Initiative. In accordance with the region’s development needs, China will continue to organize events such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and Agricultural Expo.
China will establish an international cooperation center for AI applications serving SCO countries. It will continue working with SCO countries to develop an additional 10 gigawatts of solar power and 10 gigawatts of wind power capacity. Over the next three years, China will jointly carry out 100 science and technology cooperation projects with SCO countries and continue providing China-SCO training for professionals in green industries.
China welcomes interested member states to participate actively in the “Shared Big Market—Export to China” initiative and seize the opportunities presented by China’s vast market.
To facilitate regional trade and ensure smooth logistics, China supports efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. China will also establish a China-SCO Port Economy Cooperation Center in Tianjin.
Second, we should make security a priority and create an environment of common security.
We should adopt a coordinated approach to traditional and nontraditional security threats. We should combat the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and telecommunications fraud. We should strengthen cooperation in information security, biosecurity and outer-space security, and guard against external forces interfering in countries’ internal affairs, undermining political security or destabilizing the region.
China is ready to work with all parties to follow a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and to develop the SCO into an important platform for implementing the Global Security Initiative.
China advocates a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security and supports stronger multilateral partnerships in this field. China also supports putting the SCO’s “four security centers” into operation at an early date to strengthen member states’ capacity to address security threats and challenges.
Third, we should put people first and strengthen the foundations of friendship for generations to come.
Diverse civilizations and cultures are defining features of our region. We should take into full consideration the historical and cultural traditions, social systems and stages of development of different countries. We should build networks of cooperation among legislatures, political parties, schools, think tanks, businesses and media organizations, and promote people-to-people exchanges to inject new vitality into good-neighborliness and friendship among member states.
China is ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and supports a greater role for people-to-people friendship organizations, including the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. We should successfully organize the SCO Forum on Innovation and Sustainable Development, the SCO People’s Forum and the SCO Friendship Cities Forum.
China will establish a China-SCO Basic Education Cooperation Center. It is also prepared to continue building bridges for mutual learning and closer ties between peoples through programs such as Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops.
Fourth, we should uphold dialogue and consultation and improve fair and orderly governance.
We should uphold the equality of all countries, large and small. Regional affairs should be discussed and decided through consultation. We should seek common ground while managing differences, properly address disagreements through dialogue and consultation, and respond to common challenges through multilateral cooperation.
President Mirziyoyev and President Tokayev have respectively proposed the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative and the Initiative for World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony. China appreciates and supports both initiatives.
China supports the SCO in carrying out exemplary cooperation to implement the Global Governance Initiative. The focus of this SCO Plus meeting on strengthening the role of the United Nations and building a multipolar world represents a successful example of such cooperation.
China proposes further improving the SCO’s operating mechanisms and enhancing the efficiency of its decision-making and implementation. We welcome more like-minded countries as SCO partners so that they can jointly participate in improving regional and global governance.
On international and regional hotspots such as Ukraine, the Middle East and Afghanistan, China is prepared to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, address both symptoms and root causes, and promote political settlements.
Colleagues,
As long as we remain true to our original aspirations, no distance will deter us; as long as we remain steadfast in our commitment, no difficulty will prevent us from reaching our goal.
China is ready to work with all parties to continue upholding the Shanghai Spirit, implement the SCO’s development strategy for the next decade, pursue higher-quality development, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Finally, I congratulate Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on assuming the chairmanship of the Council of Heads of State. China is ready to work with other member states to support Pakistan in carrying out its work as the SCO chair.
Thank you.
Your Excellency President Sadyr Zhaparov,
Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to join fellow members and partners of the SCO family in celebrating the 25th anniversary of our organization. I wish to thank President Zhaparov for his kind invitation and the thoughtful arrangements by the government of Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting today focuses on strengthening the role of the United Nations and building a multipolar world, and it demonstrates SCO’s commitment to reforming and improving global governance as required by our times.
Currently, major changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the globe. Hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are resurging against historical trends. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of the world do not condone power politics, conflict and confrontation, or isolation and backwardness. What they want instead is to hold a place on the world stage through national development and international cooperation. In recent years, the rise of the Global South is driving a profound shift in the international balance of power. The trend toward a multipolar world is irreversible.
What kind of multipolarity does the world need? How are countries going to take part in and promote it? The international community should build consensus and make the right choice that can stand the test of practice and history. As a responsible major country, China advocates for an equal and orderly multipolar world.
—Sovereign equality and mutual respect are fundamental principles. The history of the world is written by all nations. Multipolarity, independent choice of development paths, and greater democracy in international relations are the right way forward. We should ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries, regardless of their size, strength and wealth. As an important part of a multipolar world and a key driving force behind it, the Global South countries ought to have greater representation and voice in international affairs.
—Balance, order and the rule of law are inherent requirements. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter set the basic norms of international relations, and serve as the bedrock of the postwar international order. We should promote the common values of humanity, reject double standards, exceptionalism, foreign interference, bullying and the law of the jungle, and advance the rule of law in international relations. Major countries in particular should take the lead in observing international norms and honoring the rule of law, and work together to tackle global challenges.
—Multilateralism, dialogue and consultation are essential pathways. The domination of international affairs by a few is an injustice left over from history, and global governance dictated by one, a few or a bloc of countries is not true multilateralism. World affairs should be discussed by all, and international norms should be set by all. The authority and vitality of the U.N. need to be restored. Multilateral mechanisms, global and regional, should enhance their coordination and improve their efficiency.
—Mutual benefit, win-win, and inclusiveness are the way forward for development. Countries are not isolated islands, but partners with intertwined interests and a shared future. Protectionism, decoupling and supply-chain disruption will lead nowhere. We should focus on the development agenda, uphold openness and cooperation, and bridge the digital and AI divides, so that technological revolution and development achievements can benefit all nations.
Colleagues,
After a 25-year journey, the SCO has successfully set a stellar example in conducting relations among big countries, among neighbors, and among countries of different sizes. It has successfully brought together half of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy, generating strong driving forces for development. A more united and vibrant SCO is fully capable of making greater contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world.
First, we should advance common prosperity in the vast continent straddling Asia and Europe with the SCO Strength. Cooperation within the SCO has been fruitful in political, security, economic, trade, people-to-people and cultural domains, and our organization is now a key platform for Eurasian countries to jointly pursue development and tackle challenges. We should continue to leverage our strengths, unlock our potential, and connect the multiple growth poles across the continent through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We should empower each other, help each other succeed, and work together to create new opportunities and promote shared prosperity.
Second, we should promote the development and rise of the Global South through the SCO Wisdom. The organization takes root in the Global South, its heart beats with the Global South, and it is an important pillar of South-South cooperation. We should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, strengthen and expand the SCO Plus partnerships, and jointly speak up for peace, foster synergy for development, build bridges for cooperation, and pave the way for win-win outcomes.
Third, we should guide the reform and improvement of global governance through the SCO Action. Our organization takes it as its mission and responsibility to make the global governance system more just and equitable. We should stay committed to building partnerships rather than alliances, and engaging in dialogue rather than confrontation. We should adhere to the principle of “planning together, building together and benefiting together” to encourage equal participation in global governance by all countries and ensure all will benefit from it.
Colleagues,
In global governance, stagnation is regression. It is important that SCO member states and partners ride the trend of history and shoulder the responsibility of our times. Let us take the people-centered and action-oriented approach, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, make global governance more just and equitable, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Thank you.
Edit: My bad that I didn’t include the Xi-Putin meeting’s readout. Bill Bishop already made an English ver, in case someone needs to check it:
https://sinocism.notion.site/Xi-Jinping-Meets-Russian-President-Putin-3cd84ece41d781c995a5d1be62cb9720