In a powerful address to regional leaders on September 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned what he described as "bullying behavior" in international relations, hinting at the actions of the United States. This speech was a centerpiece of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, aimed at positioning Beijing as a pivotal player in regional affairs.

The SCO, which includes major players like India, Russia, and Pakistan, is touted as a non-Western collaboration model meant to challenge traditional alliances. Xi warned that the global situation is becoming increasingly "chaotic and intertwined," emphasizing the urgent security and development challenges facing member states.

In Tianjin, Xi announced a substantial commitment of two billion yuan (approximately $360 million) in aid to member countries by 2025, in addition to 10 billion yuan in loans to an SCO banking consortium. He urged cooperation towards a fairer, multipolar world and sought to promote equitable global governance.

Xi's plea for unity against a "Cold War mentality" comes in the wake of the economic strains exacerbated by recent U.S. tariffs, particularly affecting developing nations like India. He called for a collective resistance to such divisive strategies and encouraged support for multilateral trade frameworks.

The summit, which kicked off before a grand military parade celebrating 80 years since World War II, saw leaders arriving amidst much fanfare, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, this was Modi's first visit to China since 2018, marking a potential thaw in relations between the two rival powers.

China and Russia have increasingly promoted the SCO as a counterbalance to Western power structures like NATO, presenting a collective vision that diverges from U.S.-led initiatives. As over 20 leaders gathered, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussions are anticipated to include pivotal global issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and Iran's nuclear pursuits.

The summit marks a significant moment for China, which seeks to showcase an alternative model for global governance amid shifting geopolitical realities and declining U.S. influence in multilateral engagements.