SCO summit

THE biggest event on China’s diplomatic calendar of the year kicked off Sunday, as world leaders gathered to map out the future of a Beijing-led bloc that wants to offer an alternative to a US world order. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in the port city of Tianjin for the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on Sunday morning, a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other leaders at the huddle will include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. 

Although the gathering was planned long in advance, rapidly developing world events are giving it more prominence. The summit offers Putin a chance to talk with Xi and Modi directly about the outcome of his meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump and the prospect of reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. 

It’s also happening as India and China seek deeper cooperation as they deal with the economic fallout from the US trade war.  

Xi held bilateral talks with Modi on Sunday, who is in China for the first time in seven years. The two pledged deeper cooperation as they deal with the economic fallout from the US trade war. Washington is slapping 50% tariffs on India, the highest on any South Asian country.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto scrapped plans to travel to China as violent protests rocked his country in recent days.

In parallel to the summit, other bilateral meetings are taking place on the sidelines.

On Saturday, Xi met with Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. They discussed “opposing foreign interference in Myanmar’s politics, China’s positive stance and future actions for the country’s stability and peace,” according to a statement from the Myanmar government.

Xi has also met the leaders of Kazakhstan, Nepal, Maldives, Azerbaijan and Armenia. 

Some guests including Putin will follow Xi to Beijing to attend a military parade on Sept. 3, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un will also be there. –BLOOMBERG

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