Xi Sharpens Mission for Bloc Built to Rival US-Led World Order

The article discusses Chinese President Xi Jinping's plans to sharpen the mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a bloc aimed at challenging the US-led global order. As Xi prepares to host the SCO summit, many member states are seeking reassurance after facing various conflicts. The SCO, founded in 2001, includes China, Russia, and several Central Asian countries. Xi is expected to use the platform to rally support for a China-led alternative to the Western-dominated international system. The summit comes at a time when the global landscape is turbulent, with the war in Ukraine and tensions between China and the West. The article suggests that Xi will likely emphasize the SCO's role in promoting economic and security cooperation, as well as its potential to serve as a counterweight to Western influence. However, the article notes that the bloc's ability to provide a viable alternative to the existing global order remains uncertain.