The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, taking place today in the coastal city of Tianjin in northern China, is considered the most significant gathering of the group since its establishment in 2001. This year’s summit is convened against a backdrop of various crises, including the trade tensions between the U.S., China, and India, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the Iranian nuclear issue.
The SCO comprises 10 member states and 16 observer or partner nations, representing nearly half of the global population and accounting for 23.5% of the world’s GDP. It is positioned as a counterbalance to NATO, with member countries possessing vast energy resources.
This summit not only aims to promote a multipolar world but also offers China an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic influence and military strength, presenting itself as a stabilizing force in a divided world.
Chinese official data praises the multipolarity reflected in this initiative, subtly criticizing the unilateral approach of the United States.
The event has facilitated numerous bilateral meetings, prominently featuring discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Extended Stay
Some leaders, including Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, have been invited to extend their stay until Wednesday to participate in a grand military parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory over Japan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is making a rare visit outside his isolated country to stand alongside his ally Xi Jinping for this occasion.
Following nearly two weeks after his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, Putin is scheduled to hold another round of talks with Xi in Beijing tomorrow.
According to Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, Putin discussed recent communications between Moscow and Washington with his Chinese counterpart yesterday in Tianjin.
Putin arrived discreetly despite leading a significant political and economic delegation, as reported by Russian and Chinese state media.
Today, Xi will meet in Tianjin with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the Ukraine conflict, as well as with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to address the Iranian nuclear issue, alongside a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister.
New Model
During the summit, President Xi warmly welcomed leaders from India, Iran, Turkey, and twenty other nations in the Eurasian region, aiming to present a new model for international relations amid escalating geopolitical tensions and intensified U.S. tariffs.
Since the day before yesterday, heads of state and officials from around twenty countries, along with representatives from about ten international organizations, have been arriving in this major coastal city, symbolizing China’s economic development.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his first visit to China since 2018, signifying a growing rapprochement between the two Asian giants, which was eagerly acknowledged by Xi.
Security Measures
The summit is under strict security measures, with armored vehicles deployed on certain streets and traffic flows restricted in large areas of Tianjin. Signs in Mandarin and Russian extolling the “Spirit of Tianjin” and “mutual trust” between Moscow and Beijing are prominently displayed.
Experts suggest that the focus should be on the image projected by the summit rather than its tangible outcomes. Dylan Loh, a lecturer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, remarked that the summit represents “a multipolar model that differs from the Western-dominated frameworks,” noting that the broad participation indicates China’s growing influence and the SCO’s capability to attract non-Western countries.
There are existing tensions within the organization, particularly between China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, which have competed for influence in South Asia and experienced deadly border clashes in 2020. Nevertheless, they are currently working to strengthen their relationship, especially in light of U.S. tariffs imposed by President Trump on both nations.
During their meeting, Xi and Modi emphasized the significance of collaboration between their two countries, which together account for 2.8 billion people, referring to their partnership as the “dragon-elephant dance,” while analysts noted the presence of the “Russian bear.”