Leaders Xi and Putin unite in solidarity, positioning China as a potential contender for global leadership.
In the heart of China, the city of Tianjin played host to a significant diplomatic event this week. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit brought together world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a showcase of their friendship and a display of closer ties between China and Russia.
This summit marked the first opportunity for Xi and Putin to meet since Putin's summit with former US President Trump in Alaska earlier this month. For Xi, the SCO summit was a critically timed diplomatic push, viewing it as an opportunity to assert China's global leadership and its partnership with Russia.
Footage from Russian state news agency RIA showed a more animated and relaxed demeanor from Xi Jinping during his conversation with Putin. The leaders were seen walking shoulder to shoulder after posing for a photo with other leaders, as shown in footage released by the Kremlin.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, has grown in prominence over the years. In addition to these member states, the 2022 summit in Tianjin also saw the attendance of guest attendees and observer states connected to the SCO framework. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the political heavyweights present.
During the summit, Xi announced the establishment of a SCO Development Bank, a move aimed at further strengthening the organisation's economic clout. He also pledged 2 billion yuan ($280 million) in grants to SCO member states this year.
Xi Jinping positioned China as a force for global economic stability amidst President Trump's tariff war and reduced foreign aid. He criticized "hegemonism," "Cold War mentality," and "bullying practices," without directly naming the United States. Chinese officials have stated that they see the US as undermining the international order it worked to build, and view this as an opportunity to ramp up their own vision as an alternative.
The SCO summit in Tianjin was just the beginning. It will be followed by a massive military parade in Beijing, expected to be attended by Putin, Kim Jong Un, and other leaders. The parade is set to highlight China's military might and its commitment to regional security and stability.
Just last week, Moscow's forces carried out their second largest aerial attack on Ukraine, a stark reminder of the geopolitical tensions that persist in the region. Yet, the SCO summit in Tianjin served as a beacon of hope for closer cooperation and a united front against these challenges. The future of the SCO and its member states remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the organisation is poised to play a significant role in shaping the global landscape in the years to come.
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