A New Phase of History | EIRNS

Marcia Baker

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization heads of state summit over Aug. 31-Sept. 1 has concluded its two days of events, marking the undeniable truth that the world has entered “a new phase of history,” as observed by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, leader of the Schiller Institute. The unipolar world is over. The forward dynamic for progress of humanity is squarely in the new multilateralism, under leadership from the strategic cooperation among the leaders of China, Russia and India, and other collaborating nations and institutions.

This outlook and commitment were spelled out in various speeches, bilateral meetings, and joint documents associated with the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, and which foresee much ongoing activity, from economic programs to anti-terrorism, to science and culture. Many national leaders referred to the benefits of multinational projects of all kinds, especially infrastructure for connectivity. For example, both the International North-South Transportation Corridor and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor were discussed.

The documents released today include: The SCO Declaration, the Statement on the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II and the Establishment of the United Nations, the SCO Development Strategy Through 2035, and others.

The participants included heads of state and government and others from 10 SCO member nations, 14 SCO “dialogue partner” nations, and SCO observer nation Mongolia, plus hundreds more in their delegations, including national media. The SCO, founded in 2001 with five member nations, has expanded to the present, under what is referred to as the “Shanghai Spirit.”

Host President Xi Jinping, who chaired today’s SCO Heads of State Council, titled his keynote address, “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.” He defined the “Shanghai Spirit” as “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development.” In this spirit, there have come “groundbreaking and historic achievements in SCO development and cooperation.”

The door is wide open to all in the West to respond to this spirit by giving up geopolitics and insistence on domination, and instead joining in the momentum for a better future for all. In this way, even the most bitter and deadly confrontations can be resolved, most urgently in Gaza, as well as in Ukraine, and elsewhere.

However, networks in London, Washington, and Brussels remain obdurate, at great danger to the world, and worsening harm to their own nations. They are acting to preserve their bankrupt financial system, by any and all means, from crypto schemes, to blood money from the military-financial-industrial complex. The associated media complex have gone berserk in their coverage of the SCO to cover up or twist its significance. AP’s headline, “SCO Summit Could Challenge U.S. Dominance and Lend Weight to China’s Vision of a Multipolar World”; or CNN: “Xi and Putin Stand Shoulder To Shoulder as China Casts Itself an Alternative Global Leader.”

The European war fanatics are in a frenzy against Russia. On Sept. 4, French President Emmanuel Macron hosts the Coalition of the Willing, at which gathering it is said, a security proposal for Ukraine will be released, whose premises of Western input to Ukraine are known in advance to be a security threat to Russia, and unacceptable. There is a hyper-promotion campaign for arming Ukraine underway. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is on a seven-nation tour in Eastern Europe, visiting military sites and capitals to talk up armament as “deterrence.” In an Aug. 31 London Financial Times interview, von der Leyen said, “Putin is a predator,” and repeatedly insisted that Trump favors Europe’s plans for backing up thousands of troops in Ukraine. Her remarks came at the time of the Aug. 30 EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Copenhagen, and a day earlier, the EU Defense Ministers there, where arming Ukraine was discussed. In this context, the danger is great of a false-flag incident at any time, to justify more extreme attacks on Russia.

In reality, the echelon of European officeholders screaming for war has no popular mandate. In France on Sept. 8 a confidence vote will be taken on the Bayrou government, which is expected to fail. In Germany, Chancellor Merz has single-digit support. Today, the two parliamentary leaders of his governing coalition resorted to staging a show of joint support by Germany for Ukraine, by travelling together by train to Kiev. Jens Spahn for the CDU/CSU and Matthias Miersch for the SPD met with Zelenskyy and made speeches.

This madness defines as the task for all people of reason and good will the world over, to respond to this historical moment, by intervening in any way we can to end the Global North insanity. Populations in the trans-Atlantic are seeking leadership for the truth and policy solutions. There are street demonstrations in Germany this month against continuing the war economy and the genocide in Gaza. In New York City, The LaRouche Organization plans actions in mid-September at the time of the UN General Assembly session. The mandate and precedent of UNGA Uniting for Peace Resolution 377, first passed in the 1950s, is urgent to now activate initiate specific measures to stop the genocide in Gaza. It is very important to attend this Friday’s meeting of the International Peace Coalition on Sept. 5, the 118th straight week.

In China and Russia, this week’s historic activities continue. Tomorrow, Sept. 2, will be the state visit activities of Russian President Vladimir Putin in China. On Sept. 3 Beijing hosts the giant parade which marks, along with other ceremonies this week, the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Defeat of Japanese Aggression and the Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. From Sept. 3-6 is the Vladivostok meeting of the Eastern Economic Forum, at which some 70 nations will be represented. President Putin’s keynote to the EEF is set for Sept. 5.

Today, China’s President Xi Jinping proposed a new “Global Governance Initiative.” He elaborated five planks, and overall described a “vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism.” Russia’s President Vladimir Putin endorsed it, saying during the discussion, “we have given careful consideration to the proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping for establishing a more effective and functional system of global governance. Such efforts are particularly relevant at a time when certain countries continue to pursue dictatorial practices in international affairs.”

To restate, we’re in “a new phase of history.” As Helga Zepp-LaRouche further described it, “What is happening is enormous.” It is an incredible moment in which to act to change direction for all humanity.