Xi Jinping Welcomes World Leaders at SCO Summit to Highlight China’s Expanding Role
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a wide range of global leaders this weekend in Tianjin, where the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is holding its annual summit. The gathering is designed to showcase Beijing’s growing influence as it seeks to position itself as a strategic counterbalance to Western powers.
Leaders Converge in Tianjin
Presidents, prime ministers, and delegations from across Asia, the Middle East, and Eurasia are arriving in the Chinese port city for two days of high-level talks. The summit comes at a time when Washington, under former U.S. President Donald Trump, has unsettled alliances with its trade disputes and shifting foreign policies, creating space for China to present itself as a stable and reliable global actor.
The SCO, co-led by China and Russia, has steadily evolved into a key platform for both nations to promote an alternative world order that moves away from U.S. dominance.
Putin Seeks Spotlight Amid War in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to use the summit to push back against Western isolation efforts, as Moscow faces ongoing criticism for its invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to Chinese media ahead of his visit, Putin described the China-Russia relationship as a “stabilizing force” and praised both nations for working toward what he called a “just, multipolar world order.”
The timing also offers Moscow an opportunity for global visibility just weeks after Putin’s talks with Washington in Alaska and days after Russia launched one of its largest airstrikes on Ukraine since the war began.
A Growing Bloc With Global Reach
The SCO has expanded well beyond its original security mandate. Today, it includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, representing about 40% of the world’s population and vast reserves of natural resources.
China has also invited delegations from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Cambodia, and other nations, underscoring Beijing’s push to broaden the group’s influence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to attend, further raising the summit’s profile.
India Adds Weight to the Talks
The presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is particularly significant. Modi skipped last year’s meeting but is attending this year’s summit amid tensions in U.S.-India ties and cautious steps toward easing border frictions with Beijing. His participation adds credibility to Xi’s message that China can bring rivals together under one framework.
Symbolism in Tianjin and Beijing’s Military Display
The choice of Tianjin as the host city carries historical weight. Once a city forced open by colonial powers in the 19th century and later occupied by Japan during World War II, Tianjin now symbolizes China’s rise and its ability to host global leaders on its own terms.
Following the summit, some leaders — including Putin, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — are expected to remain in Beijing for a military parade, where China will showcase its modernized armed forces. The event also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, with Beijing highlighting its role in defeating Imperial Japan.
The SCO’s Evolution
Created in 2001, the SCO began as a regional security alliance but has steadily broadened its agenda. Members now cooperate on counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, energy development, education, and trade.
The recent inclusion of Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024 reflects efforts by China and Russia to further align the group against Western influence. This tightening cooperation between Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran has raised concerns in Washington, where officials see the SCO as part of a wider challenge to the U.S.-led order.
What to Expect From the Summit
While the summit’s optics strongly favor Beijing’s narrative of being an indispensable global convener, analysts caution against expecting major breakthroughs. Still, the event allows Xi Jinping to send a clear signal: China wants to be seen as the architect of regional order and a credible alternative to Western-led institutions.