Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on July 4, 2024, at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting a multipolar world order. The leaders emphasized the unique value and historical high point of China-Russia relations, with Putin describing them as being ‘in the best period in their history’.Xi urged both countries to ‘continue strengthening the alignment of development strategies and international strategic coordination’. He also stressed the importance of ‘safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests and opposing external interference’. Putin expressed gratitude for Xi’s warm reception during his state visit to China in May and reiterated Russia’s support for China in protecting its core interests.The summit, which includes member states such as India, Iran, and Pakistan, is seen as an opportunity for Russia and China to demonstrate their unity against Western alliances. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that a new system of Eurasian security, previously discussed by Putin, would be addressed at the SCO summit.The leaders also touched upon the Ukrainian crisis, with Putin and Xi agreeing that there was a ‘lack of prospects’ in resolving the issue without Russian participation. Peskov commented on the unlikelihood of Turkish President Recep Erdogan acting as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.The SCO, established in 2001 by China and Russia, aims to discuss security concerns in Central Asia and the wider region, promote a ‘multipolar’ world order, and counter Western influence. The summit also focuses on economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, and regional stability.
Key points
- Xi and Putin reaffirmed the strength of China-Russia relations at the SCO summit.
- The leaders discussed aligning development strategies and international coordination.
- A new Eurasian security system was proposed for discussion at the summit.
- The SCO aims to promote a multipolar world order and counter Western influence.
Contradictions👾While the leaders emphasized their unity and cooperation, they also discussed the need for a new Eurasian security system, suggesting potential concerns about the current regional security arrangement.
