At a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the organization as a force for global stability. Founded in 2001, the SCO has expanded to include India, Iran, and Pakistan, with Russia and China seeing it as a counterweight to Western influence.
Putin emphasized that the SCO has become a key pillar of a fair, multipolar world order and that cooperation between Russia and China was at its peak. Xi echoed this sentiment, calling for the countries to uphold their friendship in response to an ever-changing international situation. The leaders also discussed plans for further bilateral cooperation.
The SCO focuses on addressing external security threats such as drug trafficking and domestic instability. Putin met with several leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including Turkish President Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, and the presidents of Azerbaijan and Mongolia.
China and Russia have deepened their relations, declaring a “no limits” partnership in February 2022. Xi and Putin believe the U.S.-dominated post-Cold War era is coming to an end, with the U.S. viewing China as its biggest competitor and Russia as a threat. The SCO has previously criticized the expansion of global missile defense systems without directly mentioning NATO or Western military assistance to Ukraine.
Xi presided over a ceremony marking the departure of cargo along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, highlighting China’s economic approach. Belarus attended the summit for the first time as a full member of the SCO, and UN Secretary-General Guterres is expected to attend as well.
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