Chinese state media has published a series of recaps of President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of Central Asia and the Middle East, framing the trip as a milestone for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The coverage, compiled by outlets including 习近平外交思想和新时代中国外交 and China Daily, highlights the expansion of the bloc and the reaffirmation of its guiding principles.
According to 习近平外交思想和新时代中国外交, the journey produced several memorable moments, though the report offers limited specifics. China Daily’s coverage focuses on the “growing SCO family,” describing the bloc’s development as a collective effort that gains strength through unity. A separate piece from 新浪财经 emphasizes the “Shanghai Spirit,” the informal set of norms—mutual trust, benefit, and respect for diversity—that has long underpinned SCO cooperation.
The official narrative, echoed across 中国经济网 and 央视网, stresses continuity and resolve. 中国经济网’s headline, “初心不改 虽远不怠” (“original aspiration unchanged, no distance too far”), suggests a commitment to long-term diplomatic goals despite geographic and political distances. 央视网 distills the trip into three keywords, though the full analysis is not available in the source material.
The tour comes as the SCO, which includes China, Russia, and several Central Asian states, continues to broaden its membership and influence. Chinese state media consistently portrays the organization as a counterweight to Western-led alliances, emphasizing regional cooperation over bloc politics.
What to watch next is whether Beijing’s official summaries translate into concrete follow-up agreements, particularly on trade and security, with the newly expanded membership.
