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China’s Xi slams ‘bullying’ behaviour in world order as SCO nations gather
- PM Shehbaz, Russia’s Putin, Indian PM Modi and other leaders attend session.
- Xi speaks about constructive participation in int’l affairs, opposes hegemonism.
- SCO has set a model for a new type of international relations: President Xi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping criticised on Monday “bullying behaviour” in the world order as he gathered regional leaders for a summit.
He called on the leaders — including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi — to “adhere to fairness and justice… oppose Cold War mentality, camp confrontation, and bullying behaviour”, in a speech in the northern city of Tianjin.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is gathering for a two-day summit, comprises China, Pakistan, India, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”.
China and Russia have sometimes touted the SCO as an alternative to the NATO military alliance.
“The current international situation is becoming chaotic and intertwined,” Xi told the leaders.
“The security and development tasks facing member states have become even more challenging,” he added.
“Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practicing the Shanghai spirit,” he said, referring to the name of the group.
“Looking to the future, with the world undergoing turbulence and transformation, we must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation.”
Xi said China will work with all parties in the SCO to take the regional security forum to a new level, as he unveiled his ambition for a new global security order that poses a challenge to the United States.
The SCO has set a model for a new type of international relations, Xi said in opening remarks at the summit, adding that the forum unequivocally opposed external interference.
Xi spoke also about constructive participation in international affairs, opposing hegemonism and power politics, as well as promoting multilateralism in his remarks.
The security-focused bloc, which began as a group of six Eurasian nations, has expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries in recent years.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said China played a “fundamental” role in upholding global multilateralism on Sunday.
Analysts say China will use this year’s largest-ever summit to demonstrate an alternative vision of global governance to the American-led international order at a time of erratic policymaking, a U.S. retreat from multilateral organisations and geopolitical flux.
Beijing has also used the summit as an opportunity to mend ties with New Delhi.
Modi, who is in China on his first visit in seven years, and Xi both agreed on Sunday their countries are development partners, not rivals, and discussed ways to improve trade ties amid the global tariff uncertainty.
Prince Harry opens up about his late mom Princess Diana’s possible reaction to his feud with his brother Prince William in resurfaced interview.
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The remake of Harry Potter sees the makers seeking new actors for the iconic franchise’s roles.
Except for one. According to reports, Warwick Davis, who portrayed Griphook and Professor Filius Flitwick in the movies, is returning to the reboot for the latter character.
He is perhaps the first actor from the film franchise to appear in the series, while Leigh Gill will play Griphook, a Gringotts Wizarding Bank employee, in the show.
The cast announcement, along with others, happened at the Hogwarts celebration. Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, and William Nash as Gregory Goyle.
Moreover, Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns, and Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey.
As a newer cast has been announced, the series has previously shared the casting of the main characters.
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Further, Bertie Carvel will play Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, and Johnny Flynn will portray Draco’s father, Lucius Malfoy.
Filming for the Harry Potter series is ongoing, with the final installment scheduled for release in 2027.
- PM calls for dialogue, respect for sovereignty at SCO summit.
- Says Pakistan has evidence of foreign involvement in terror attacks.
- Premier slams Israel’s ongoing atrocities against Palestinians.
While highlighting the menace of state-backed terrorism, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged respect for sovereignty, regional dialogue, and a collective approach to counterterrorism, as he addressed the 25th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in China’s Tianjin.
Terming his presence in Tianjin an honour, the premier said the city represents China’s foundational values and serves as a bridge between civilisations and cultures.
PM Shehbaz landed in Tianjin on Saturday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. During his six-day official visit, the prime minister will meet President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and cooperation, PM Shehbaz said the SCO reflects Islamabad’s enduring resolve to strengthen regional connectivity and collaboration.
Calling for the upholding of bilateral and international agreements, PM said: “We [Pakistan] expect SCO member countries to follow all bilateral treaties. Uninterrupted access to due share of water, as per existing treaties, is essential to strengthening the objectives of the SCO.”
He further said: “Pakistan believes in multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, not unilateralism or confrontation…There is nothing more sacred than sovereignty and territorial integrity for any nation.”
PM Shehbaz also called for a comprehensive dialogue to resolve longstanding issues in South Asia. “Stability in Afghanistan remains in the interest of the entire region,” the premier stated.
The prime minister also condemned terrorism in all its forms and called out state-sponsored terrorism, saying: “Those who have long used terrorism to advance political interests must know the world no longer buys this fictitious narrative”.
‘Foreign involvement in terror attacks’
The premier went on to say that Pakistan has irrefutable evidence of foreign involvement in recent terrorist attacks, including the Jaffer Express hostage incident and attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
“Those responsible for these heinous crimes and their facilitators must be held accountable,” he asserted.
Highlighting Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, he said: “We [Pakistan] have sacrificed over 90,000 lives, including children, mothers, engineers, scientists, citizens, and officers — not just for Pakistan, but for the peace and security of the entire region.”
Strongly criticising Israeli actions in Gaza, he said: “[The] ongoing atrocities and hunger in Gaza are a permanent scar on our collective conscience.” He reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution in line with UN resolutions.
The prime minister also condemned the unjustified and unacceptable aggression against Iran by Israel.
On China’s role, PM Shehbaz praised President Xi Jinping’s leadership and added: “China’s success is a reflection of his visionary and wise leadership. Its global leadership is evident not just within the SCO but across major international initiatives.”
He expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for exceptional hospitality and excellent arrangements.
PM Shehbaz described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project that exemplifies mutual cooperation and regional development.
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