At the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly endorsed Azerbaijan’s bid for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This endorsement came as Azerbaijan and China signed multiple bilateral agreements aimed at boosting infrastructure, AI, finances, and media cooperation. Against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical alliances and the growing significance of Eurasian connectivity, Beijing’s backing not only increases Azerbaijan’s regional importance but also signals the SCO’s evolving inclusivity and strategic focus.