Muhammad Asif Noor
Tianjin, a dynamic coastal metropolis in northern China, is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit from August 31 to September 1, 2025, as China takes the helm of the SCO’s rotating presidency for 2024-2025. This 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State will convene leaders from 10 member states to deepen cooperation in politics, security, economics, and cultural exchange.
Tianjin’s selection as the host city is no mere coincidence; its economic vitality, strategic port infrastructure, and pioneering green development align perfectly with the SCO’s ambitions for regional integration and global influence. As the city prepares to welcome the world, it stands as a testament to China’s vision of a connected, sustainable future, ready to shape the SCO’s next chapter.
Tianjin’s economic rise is a cornerstone of its global stature. In 2024, the city’s GDP reached 1.57 trillion yuan (approximately $220 billion), driven by a robust 5.8% growth rate that outstripped many regional competitors. The Binhai New Area, a powerhouse of innovation, has positioned Tianjin as a leader in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
With over 400 Fortune 500 companies establishing operations, the city attracted $20 billion in foreign direct investment in 2024, bolstered by its proximity to Beijing and investor-friendly policies.
This economic dynamism makes Tianjin a natural fit for the SCO’s focus on trade and connectivity, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, which relies heavily on the city’s logistical infrastructure to link Asia with global markets.
The summit is expected to highlight Tianjin’s role as a catalyst for economic collaboration, with discussions expected to yield agreements worth over $10 billion, according to preliminary estimates from China’s Ministry of Commerce in June 2025.
The Port of Tianjin, a global maritime giant, underscores the city’s strategic importance. Handling 21.8 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container traffic in 2024, it ranks among the world’s top 10 ports. Its adoption of smart technologies, such as automated cranes and blockchain-based logistics, has cut carbon emissions by 15% since 2020, aligning with China’s dual-carbon goals of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving neutrality by 2060.
The port connects to over 180 countries, facilitating 60% of China’s trade with SCO member states, including critical energy and commodity flows from Russia and Central Asia. Ahead of the summit, Tianjin invested 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in port upgrades, introducing eco-friendly terminals and digital tracking systems. These enhancements will be showcased to SCO leaders, reinforcing the port’s role as a linchpin for regional supply chains and a model for sustainable maritime infrastructure.
Tianjin’s green development agenda further elevates its credentials as the SCO Summit host. Since 2020, the city has channeled 120 billion yuan ($16.8 billion) into renewable energy and urban sustainability projects. By 2024, 35% of its energy came from renewables, with solar and wind capacity expanding by 22% annually.
The “Green Tianjin” campaign has slashed air pollution by 30% over the past decade, earning accolades from international partners. During a July 2025 visit, Tajikistan’s Trade Minister Zavqi Zavqizoda praised Tianjin’s “balanced approach to growth and ecology,” noting its relevance to SCO’s sustainable development goals.
The city’s hosting of the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation in April 2025 secured $4.8 billion in green technology deals, setting the stage for summit discussions on climate resilience. Tianjin’s efforts reflect a broader SCO commitment to environmental cooperation, critical as member states navigate the impacts of global warming. Preparations for the summit have transformed Tianjin into a global stage. The city has allocated 50 billion yuan ($7 billion) to infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art convention center in the Hexi District equipped with AI-driven translation systems for over 2,000 delegates. Tianjin’s high-speed rail, connecting to Beijing in just 30 minutes, has been upgraded to handle increased traffic.
The SCO presidency’s official website, launched in July 2025, outlines over 100 events under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” These include trade expos and cultural forums, with 70% of activities focused on economic and technological cooperation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a July 2025 address, emphasized Tianjin’s role in fostering a “close-knit community with a shared future,” a vision the summit aims to advance through new agreements on cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.
Tianjin’s cultural heritage enriches its role as host. Spanning over 600 years, the city blends Eastern and Western influences, evident in landmarks like the Porcelain House and the Italian-style concession area. The SCO Youth Cultural Festival, launching in Tianjin in 2025, will offer 5,000 annual scholarships for joint university programs across member states, strengthening people-to-people ties.
This initiative aligns with the SCO’s “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual respect and cultural exchange, positioning Tianjin as a bridge between civilizations. Tianjin’s emergences as the SCO Summit host signals its growing influence in a multipolar world. Beyond its economic and logistical strengths, the city embodies the SCO’s aspirations for unity and progress.
As leaders gather, Tianjin will not only facilitate critical dialogues but also set a precedent for how cities can drive global cooperation. With its sustainable innovations and cultural openness, Tianjin is poised to leave a lasting imprint on the SCO’s future, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for stability and prosperity in an increasingly complex global order.
*The writer is Secretary General Pakistan-SCO Friendship Forum
