UPDATE: The annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is currently underway in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2024. Leaders from over 20 countries are gathering to discuss pressing geopolitical issues amid escalating global tensions, including the fallout from Donald Trump’s recent economic policies.
In a significant development, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the summit, marking his first visit to China since 2018. This comes as New Delhi seeks to strengthen ties with Beijing due to the adverse impacts of Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods. Analysts anticipate that this summit will serve as a critical platform for China to position itself as a stabilizing force in a world increasingly divided along geopolitical lines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to leverage this summit to advocate for a united front among nations of the Global South against Western influence, particularly from the United States. Liu Bin, China’s Assistant Foreign Minister, emphasized the summit’s significance, stating it is one of the most important diplomatic events for China this year.
The leadership roster includes prominent figures such as Vladimir Putin of Russia, Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, and Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, among others. Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will participate, highlighting the summit’s global relevance.
The SCO, originally formed in 1996, has evolved to include discussions beyond security and now addresses trade and economic cooperation among its members. As the group expands, it now represents 43 percent of the world’s population and nearly 23 percent of the global economy. However, experts warn that the SCO’s identity remains unclear, with different countries joining for varying reasons.
This summit is particularly notable against the backdrop of ongoing crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The leaders are expected to confront these issues, with analysts predicting China and Russia will make a case for a multipolar world order.
The summit’s outcomes will be closely monitored, especially by the United States, as it may set the tone for the upcoming Quad Summit later this year, where India, Japan, Australia, and the U.S. will discuss strategies to counter China’s growing influence.
As the world watches, the SCO summit stands as a crucial moment for international relations, with implications that could reshape alliances and economic partnerships in the coming years. The discussions in Tianjin this weekend will be pivotal, as leaders navigate a landscape fraught with tension and uncertainty.