Outcomes from Xi's Bilateral Meetings in Tianjin
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Monday, September 01, 2025.
Page 1: The lead report on the page is on the SCO banquet, where Xi Jinping delivered a speech. The English report says:
“President Xi Jinping stressed that since its founding, the SCO has stayed committed to the Shanghai Spirit, strengthening solidarity and mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, and taking an active part in international and regional affairs. The SCO has grown into a significant force in promoting a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for humanity. At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries. This Summit is tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. It is believed that with the collective efforts of all parties, this Summit will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.”
After this, the page has a list of reports on Xi’s meetings with visiting leaders. I’ve already covered the Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting yesterday. So let me focus on the others today. It’s also quite amusing that the Xi-Modi meeting is covered on the second page and not the first.
Anyway some takeaways from the other bilateral meetings:
China supports Armenia’s accession to the SCO and its membership of the AIIB. and China supports Azerbaijan’s accession to the SCO. This is not a region of my expertise, but I would assume that the US-mediated peace deal and the announcement of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) has a fair amount to do with Beijing’s backing for these countries to join the SCO. China will have to get Moscow on board in particular. I assume Moscow would be game to do this, given that that Armenia and Azerbaijan are dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group in December 2025. Anyway, not my domain; so would love to hear from people who understand this better.
China will fully support Kyrgyzstan in taking over the rotating presidency of the SCO
Xi is evidently unhappy with the progress of China-Vietnam ties. In the meeting with Vietnam’s PM, Xi said: “Government departments and local authorities on both sides need to accelerate the implementation (of the leaders’ consensus) so that the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries will deliver more tangible outcomes”
The meeting between Xi and Erdogan is also interesting in that this is a NATO country and Xi is talking about having “the spirit of independence” and classifying it as a Global South country. Xi’s first point of emphasis is also important: “we need to cement political mutual trust, offer mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and enhance counterterrorism and security cooperation”
Here are the readouts:
First, the Chinese readout of Xi’s meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko says:
“President Xi Jinping pointed out that the peoples of China and Belarus, fighting side by side in the past, made important contributions to defeating militarism and fascism, and forged a profound friendship. At present, century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, and humanity once again stands at a crossroads. China is willing to work with the Belarusian side to shoulder the responsibilities of the times, practice true multilateralism, and jointly advance peace, development, and win-win cooperation in the world. President Xi Jinping stressed that the China-Belarus all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership has enjoyed high-quality development, and the two sides should continue to extend firm mutual support on issues relating to each other’s core interests and major concerns. The two sides should advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, and continue to cultivate new highlights and growth drivers for their cooperation. The two sides should fully harness the outcomes of the China-Belarus years of science and technology innovation from 2024 to 2025, and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces to facilitate the development and revitalization of both countries. The two sides should expand exchanges on education, culture, tourism, youth and at subnational levels, and foster greater amity between their peoples. The two sides should enhance coordination in multilateral mechanisms such as the SCO and BRICS, and work for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”
As per the report, “the two sides signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as science and technology, finance, metrology, media, transportation, and customs inspection and quarantine.”
Second, the readout of Xi’s meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says:
The two leaders announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Armenia. Xi Jinping pointed out that the friendship between China and Armenia is long-standing and has grown stronger over time. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual learning, and their bilateral relations have continued to develop in a healthy and stable manner. The establishment of a strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations. The two sides should continue their traditional friendship, firmly support each other, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote new achievements in bilateral relations from a new starting point. Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should jointly build BRI with high quality, strengthen connectivity, and promote exchanges in education, science and technology, culture, and tourism to create greater benefits for the people of both countries. China supports Armenia’s accession to the SCO and is willing to work with Armenia to practice true multilateralism and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. 两国领导人宣布，中国和亚美尼亚建立战略伙伴关系。习近平指出，中国和亚美尼亚友谊源远流长，历久弥坚。建交33年来，两国互尊互信、互利互惠、互学互鉴，双边关系持续健康稳定发展。建立战略伙伴关系是两国关系发展史上的重要里程碑，双方要赓续传统友谊，坚定相互支持，深化各领域合作，推动双边关系在新起点上不断取得新成果。习近平强调，双方要高质量共建“一带一路”，加强互联互通，推进教育、科技、文化、旅游等交流，为两国人民创造更多福祉。中方支持亚美尼亚加入上海合作组织，愿同亚方一道，践行真正的多边主义，携手推动构建人类命运共同体.
Pashinyan reportedly said that: “China has achieved tremendous development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and Armenia hopes to learn from China to boost its own economic and social development. Establishing a strategic partnership will elevate Armenia-China relations to a higher level, creating new opportunities and injecting new vitality into bilateral cooperation. Armenia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to expanding economic and trade cooperation with China, maintaining close coordination on international and regional affairs, and promoting further development of bilateral relations.” 帕什尼扬表示，中国在习近平主席领导下取得巨大发展成就，亚方希望向中国学习，助力自身经济社会发展。建立战略伙伴关系将推动亚中关系迈上高水平，为两国合作带来新机遇、注入新活力。亚方坚定奉行一个中国原则，期待同中方拓展经贸合作，在国际和地区事务中保持密切配合，推动双边关系得到更大发展.
The two sides issued a joint statement and signed several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as market supervision, metrology, and media.
The English version of the joint statement is available here. Here’s the political section:
“The Parties are guided by the principles of peaceful coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The Parties respect the development paths chosen by the other side in accordance with national characteristics and independent decision-making in bilateral relations policy. The Parties act as reliable partners for one another, refrain from actions that harm the sovereignty, security and development interests of the other side, or any actions that violate the mutual trust between the two countries and friendship between the peoples.”
“The Armenian side confirms its position in support of the one-China principle, recognizing that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China; firmly opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and supports the efforts being made by China towards the national reunification.”
“The Chinese side confirms its firm support for the political independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of the Republic of Armenia. China supports the peace agenda proposed by the Armenian side, and welcomes the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative. The Parties believe that geopolitical intrigues aimed at supporting confrontation will serve no purpose, and jointly oppose any steps that destabilize the region and provoke a new escalation. The Parties express their readiness to strengthen high-level political dialogue, to convene regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, and to expand communication between central and local authorities, as well as between political parties for the purpose of exchanging experience and strengthening collaboration. The Parties attach great importance to the further cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries and emphasize the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering bilateral political dialogue. The Parties emphasize the need to further develop communication mechanisms between the governments of the two countries to exchange views on development and security issues. The Parties are ready to strengthen cooperation and exchange in the legal and judicial spheres, based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect. The Parties express their readiness to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, to exert joint efforts toward countering terrorism, separatism, extremism, cybercrime and other types of transnational crimes. The Parties will continue to enhance interregional cooperation. The Parties will continue to enrich the political and treaty-based legal frameworks for deepening cooperation in different spheres.”
From the section on economic cooperation, these three points stand out:
“Armenia welcomes the participation of Chinese companies in infrastructure projects in Armenia. The Parties express their willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the aim of expanding the trade and investment potential in such areas as infrastructure, information technologies, renewable energy sources, agriculture, industry, etc.”
“The Parties express their readiness to further increase mutual investments to strengthen cooperation in such areas as industry, information and telecommunications, agriculture, energy, etc., to promote high-quality cooperation.”
“The Parties reaffirm their firm position on defending the multilateral trading system with the WTO at the core, and support the integration of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement into the legal structure of the WTO. The Parties express their readiness to deepen development cooperation and work out opportunities to implement more small and beautiful social projects in Armenia. Armenia expresses its gratitude to China for continuous technical assistance, including projects on human resources development.”
The document also talks about cultural and science and technology cooperation. One key point:
“The Parties regard digitalization and digital transformation as a priority area in bilateral cooperation, and stand ready to implement joint projects for the introduction of modern technologies. The Parties also express interest in the exchange of experience in fields including cybersecurity and combating hybrid threats.”
Other key points:
Both sides talk about “defending the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
“The Parties reiterate that the right to development, as a universal and inalienable right, is an integral part of human rights. The Parties stand ready to promote effective international collaboration in order to realize the right to development and eliminate obstacles hindering development.”
Armenia backs GDI, GSI, GCI and BRI.
China welcomes Armenia to join AIIB
Third, the readout of Xi’s meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says:
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Azerbaijan are good friends and partners. Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the traditional friendship between the two countries has deepened, political mutual trust has continued to consolidate, and mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results. In April, the two sides announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan, opening a new chapter in all-round cooperation. China and Azerbaijan are fellow travelers in development and revitalization. China is willing to work with Azerbaijan to maintain the vigorous development momentum of bilateral cooperation and jointly create a new future of win-win development for both countries. 习近平指出，中国同阿塞拜疆是好朋友、好伙伴。建交33年来，两国传统友谊日益深化，政治互信持续巩固，互利合作成果丰硕。今年4月，我们宣布中阿建立全面战略伙伴关系，开启两国全方位合作新篇章。中阿两国是发展振兴的同路人，中方愿同阿方一道，保持双边合作蓬勃发展势头，共创两国共赢发展新未来.
Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should maintain strategic communication and firmly support each other. They should strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, jointly build BRI with high quality, accelerate the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, continuously enhance the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, expand cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, and energy, and create growth areas for cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, green development, and artificial intelligence. The two sides should further strengthen exchanges in education, science and technology, culture, tourism, youth, and local areas to pool resources and strengthen public support for the development of bilateral relations. China supports Azerbaijan’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and is willing to work closely with Azerbaijan in multilateral cooperation to safeguard the common interests of the Global South and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. 习近平强调，双方要保持战略沟通，坚定相互支持。加强发展战略对接，高质量共建“一带一路”，加快推进贸易和投资自由化便利化，持续提升跨里海国际运输走廊效能，拓展基础设施、农业、能源等传统领域合作，打造数字经济、绿色发展、人工智能等新兴领域合作增长点。进一步密切教育、科技、文化、旅游、青年、地方交流，为双边关系发展汇聚资源力量、厚植民意根基。中方支持阿塞拜疆加入上海合作组织，愿同阿方密切多边协作，维护全球南方共同利益，推动构建人类命运共同体.
Aliyev reportedly said that “the Azerbaijani side firmly pursues the one-China principle, opposes ‘Taiwan independence’, and is willing to deepen cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, connectivity, tourism, and others, so as to bring more well-being to the two peoples. The Azerbaijani side is willing to deepen cooperation with the Chinese side within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, jointly promoting peace and development in the region and even the world.” 阿方坚定奉行一个中国原则，反对“台独”，愿同中方深化经贸、科技、互联互通、旅游等领域合作，为两国人民带来更多福祉。阿方愿深化同中方在上海合作组织内合作，共同促进地区乃至世界的和平与发展.
The two sides signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as AI, scientific and technological innovation, finance, and media. Only Wang Yi and Cai Qi attended this one. Chen Min’er wasn’t there for this meeting.
Fourth, the readout of Xi’s meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu says:
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the Maldives share the same aspirations and have a common destiny, sharing weal and woe. Last year we unanimously agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, forging a China-Maldives community with a shared future. Over the past year and more, China-Maldives BRI cooperation has achieved positive progress, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries has continuously deepened, bringing benefits to the peoples of both countries. 习近平指出，中马两国志同道合、休戚与共。去年我们一致同意把两国关系提升为全面战略合作伙伴关系，打造中马命运共同体。一年多来，中马共建“一带一路”合作取得积极进展，两国全面战略合作伙伴关系不断深化，给两国人民带来福祉.
Xi Jinping emphasised that China will continue to support the Maldives in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and exploring a development path that suits its national conditions. China is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Maldives at all levels, including political parties, legislatures, and governments, to enhance mutual understanding and trust and promote closer ties between the two peoples. China will continue to deepen practical cooperation, implement the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, and carry out cooperation in fisheries, marine scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster prevention and mitigation. China will strengthen communication and coordination, safeguard common strategic interests and international fairness and justice, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. 习近平强调，中方将继续支持马尔代夫维护国家主权、独立和领土完整，探索符合本国国情的发展道路。愿同马方加强政党、立法机构、政府等各方面交往，增进相互了解和信任，促进两国人民相知相亲。持续深化务实合作，落实好中马自由贸易协定，开展渔业、海洋科考、环境保护、防灾减灾等合作。加强沟通和协作，维护共同战略利益和国际公平正义，携手构建人类命运共同体.
Muizzu reportedly said that: “China has a profound cultural foundation and advocates building a community with a shared future for mankind, bringing stability to the world under the current turbulent international situation. Maldives-China relations are close, setting an example of equal cooperation between countries of different sizes. The Maldives side thanks the Chinese side for its long-term assistance to the Maldives’ economic development and livelihood undertakings. Maldives firmly pursues the one-China principle, and is willing to expand cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields of trade, investment, housing and urban construction, tourism, and others, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and jointly build a Maldives-China community with a shared future. 穆伊兹表示，祝贺中国即将成功完成“十四五”规划，取得举世瞩目的发展成就。中国有着深厚的文化底蕴，倡导构建人类命运共同体，在当前动荡国际形势下给世界带来稳定性。马中关系紧密，树立了不同大小国家平等合作的典范。马方感谢中方长期以来对马经济发展和民生事业的帮助。马方坚定奉行一个中国原则，愿同中方拓展贸易、投资、住建、旅游等领域合作，加强在上海合作组织等多边机制内的协调和配合，共建马中命运共同体.
Fifth, the readout from Xi’s meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov says:
“President Xi Jinping noted that since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have had two successful meetings, during which they made a comprehensive plan for the development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations and reached broad consensus on deepening all-round cooperation. China will continue to work with the Kyrgyz side to extend firm mutual support, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, jointly pursue modernization and national revitalization, and build a close China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future. President Xi Jinping stressed that China and Kyrgyzstan should build on past foundation and make pioneering efforts to open new vistas for bilateral relations, and expand practical cooperation in both breadth and depth. The two countries should have a higher level of trade and investment, deepen connectivity, better harness science and technology, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, green minerals and artificial intelligence. The two countries should enhance cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education, and health, and foster greater amity between their peoples. China will fully support Kyrgyzstan in taking over the rotating presidency of the SCO and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs. China is ready to enhance coordination with the Kyrgyz side on multilateral occasions, and jointly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, so as to make new contributions to peace and development in the world.”
Among other things, Japarov is quoted as saying: “The most valuable advantage for Kyrgyzstan is to be the neighbor of China.” He also said: “The Kyrgyz side is willing to learn from China’s experience, and enhance cooperation with China in areas such as connectivity, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and scientific and technological innovation, so as to bring more benefits to the people. On the Taiwan question and other issues concerning China’s core interests, the Kyrgyz side will, as always, firmly support China’s position.” Japarov also backed GDI, GSI and GCI.
“The two sides signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as connectivity, human resources, civil aviation, and subnational cooperation.”
Sixth, the readout of Xi’s meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh says:
“President Xi noted that during his state visit to Viet Nam in April, the two sides reached important consensus on advancing the building of the China–Viet Nam community with a shared future under the new circumstances. Government departments and local authorities on both sides need to accelerate the implementation so that the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries will deliver more tangible outcomes. In the context of the accelerating global transformation unseen in a century and the fluid and volatile international situation, China and Viet Nam need to firm up confidence in their paths and systems, step up solidarity and cooperation, and steer the ship of the community with a shared future steadily forward in the right direction. President Xi extended congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and underscored China’s support for Viet Nam in successfully convening the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. He expressed China’s readiness to deepen exchanges on party and state governance with Viet Nam, maintain high-level exchanges, and take well-coordinated steps to advance bilateral strategic cooperation. The two sides need to actively promote cooperation in connectivity, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, and enhance experience sharing in the development of free trade zones and special economic zones, so as to facilitate their respective modernization drive. Continued efforts should be made to ensure the success of the commemorative activities marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the Vietnamese youth’s ‘red study tours’ to China, and develop more programs to bring the two peoples closer together. It is important for the two sides to strengthen multilateral cooperation and uphold the shared interests of the Global South.”
Among other things, Pham Minh Chinh said that “Viet Nam and China share common strategic interests and are fellow companions in the journey of socialism. Viet Nam sees growing its relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy. Viet Nam is ready to foster greater strategic synergy with China, expand trade and investment, enhance connectivity, deepen people-to-people exchanges, stand united and look out for each other with a view to jointly advancing modernization, which serves the interests of both countries and contributes to global peace and stability.”
Finally, the readout of Xi’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says:
“President Xi noted that China and Türkiye are both major emerging countries and important members of the Global South. Both countries uphold the spirit of independence. The high-level development of China-Türkiye relations serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the common interests of the Global South. The two countries need to follow the trend of the times featuring peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, help each other succeed on the path toward national prosperity, take the China-Türkiye strategic cooperative relationship to new heights, and work together for a more just and equitable global governance system. Noting that next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Türkiye, President Xi called on the two sides to take this opportunity to bring bilateral relations to a new level. First, we need to cement political mutual trust, offer mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and enhance counterterrorism and security cooperation. Second, we need to deepen practical cooperation, enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Middle Corridor Initiative, advance the development of the southbound passage of the China-Europe Railway Express, upgrade cooperation in such traditional areas as economy and trade, culture and tourism, and foster new highlights of cooperation in new energy, 5G, biomedicine and other fields. Third, we need to strengthen multilateral coordination, maintain close coordination within the United Nations, the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other frameworks, jointly uphold the international order and rules, defend international fairness and justice, and contribute to world peace and stability.”
As per the Chinese readout, “President Erdoğan said that Türkiye places high importance on growing relations with China. It hopes to have close high-level exchanges with China, jointly pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, increase the level of trade and investment, enhance cooperation in infrastructure, new energy, agriculture, food, healthcare and other fields, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, tourism and other areas, and achieve strong and sustained growth of bilateral relations. Türkiye will be firmly committed to the one-China principle. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is about to hold the largest summit since its founding. Türkiye is ready to strengthen cooperation with China within the SCO and promote the development and prosperity of the region and the world. Türkiye appreciates China’s just position on Middle East issue and is ready to work with China to uphold international fairness and justice.”
Okay, moving on, there’s a report on Qiushi publishing a piece composed of quotes from Xi Jinping from 2014 to 2025 on the theme of “Carrying Forward the Great Spirit of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and bravely advancing towards the glorious future of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Page 4: There’s a report on Cai Qi meeting with Modi. The report says:
Cai Qi said that President Xi Jinping had just held a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister, reaching a new and important consensus on the development of China-India relations, which charts the course for advancing good-neighbourly friendship and cooperation between the two countries. China is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation, properly manage and handle differences, and promote further improvement and development of China-India relations. 蔡奇表示，习近平主席刚刚同总理先生举行了富有成果的会见，就中印关系发展达成新的重要共识，为我们推进两国睦邻友好合作指明了方向。中方愿同印方一道努力，落实好两国领导人重要共识，弘扬和平共处五项原则，加强友好交往和互利合作，妥善管控和处理分歧，推动中印关系进一步改善发展.
Modi said that he had just reached a new and important consensus with President Xi Jinping on the long-term development of China-India relations, laying the foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation. India welcomes the resumption of the inter-party exchange and cooperation mechanism. The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China is another milestone in the development of bilateral relations. India is willing to work with China to contribute to promoting bilateral relations and world peace and development. 莫迪表示，我刚才同习近平主席就印中关系长远发展达成新的重要共识，为深化双方合作奠定基础。印方欢迎恢复党际交流合作机制。印中建交75周年是两国关系发展的又一里程碑，印方愿同中方共同努力，为推动两国关系和世界和平、发展作出贡献.
Page 8: There’s a report saying that in the first 7 months of the year, China’s imports from the least developed countries in Africa reached $39.66 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.2%.