Xi Jinping Draws World Leaders to Beijing as Trump’s Shadow Lingers

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host one of the most important gatherings of world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The participating nations make up almost half of the global population and a quarter of the world’s GDP. The summit will see Indian Prime Minister Modi visiting China for the first time since 2018, a notable development after the deadly border conflicts of 2020. On top of that, Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and leaders from heavily sanctioned countries will attend. Their presence will create a strong display of cooperation among non-Western nations.

The summit’s timing holds special meaning as Modi looks to broaden India’s trade partnerships. This comes just days after the United States raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50% – double the previous rate. The SCO has shown remarkable progress over the years. Member states have seen their total trade grow nearly 100 times in two decades. Their share of global trade jumped from 5.4% in 2001 to 17.5% in 2020. The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit will definitely strengthen what China’s ambassador to Russia called ties that “have risen to their highest level in history”. The gathering of these influential leaders shows the changing nature of global alliances as the SCO grows more powerful, offering an alternative to Western-dominated international forums.

Xi Jinping hosts SCO summit to showcase China’s global leadership

_{Image Source: Asharq Al-Awsat}

President Xi Jinping stands as a pioneering figure in global diplomacy as he welcomes world leaders to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. His presence at this well-coordinated event shows Beijing’s push to emerge as an alternative power center to Western-led institutions.

Where is Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit?

Chinese President Xi Jinping chose Tianjin over Beijing to host the SCO summit. Beijing typically serves as the venue for major diplomatic gatherings. Xi plays a highly visible role and personally greets each arriving head of state with welcoming ceremonies. He takes center stage during plenary sessions and bilateral meetings, which reinforces China’s role as the summit’s architect and driving force. State media carefully documents Xi’s formal meetings with Russian President Putin and other leaders. This coverage highlights his position as the gathering’s most influential figure.

Why the Tianjin location matters geopolitically

Tianjin’s selection as the summit venue carries deep geopolitical meaning. This northern port city sits 120 kilometers from Beijing and represents China’s industrial strength and maritime goals. The city serves as a vital hub in Xi’s signature Belt and Road Initiative. It connects China to Central Asian markets that several SCO member states represent. Tianjin’s modern infrastructure and military installations offer practical benefits and symbolic value. The city helps China showcase its economic development model to visiting delegations. The location choice strengthens Xi’s vision of China as the natural leader of a Eurasian partnership network free from Western influence.

How the military parade amplifies China’s message

A well-coordinated military display has become central to the summit experience. These demonstrations of Chinese military capabilities go beyond mere pageantry. They project strength to international audiences, especially as tensions with Western powers continue. The parade visually strengthens China’s commitment to the SCO’s original security-focused mission. These displays support Xi’s summit message that regional security depends on Chinese leadership and protection, particularly for smaller member states.

Modi recalibrates India’s stance after Trump’s tariff shock

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces fresh economic pressure from the United States as he heads to the SCO summit. He must now perform a careful diplomatic dance between East and West. His presence signals major changes in regional relationships as India guides its way through complex international ties.

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Indian goods

Former President Donald Trump shocked everyone with his announcement of 50% tariffs on all Indian imports to the United States just days before the summit. This economic blow has pushed Modi’s government to quickly broaden its trade relationships. Trump’s timing—right as Modi prepared for the SCO meeting—has made India’s need to strengthen economic bonds with neighboring powers, including China, more urgent.

India’s strategic autonomy and balancing act

India has managed to keep its policy of strategic autonomy and refuses to fully side with Western powers or the China-Russia bloc. The recent tariff shock has made India think over this careful balance. Modi’s presence at the SCO summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows India’s push for independent foreign policy goals, even as it keeps strong defense ties with the United States.

This calculated approach shows India knows regional economic integration can shield against unpredictable Western trade policies. In spite of that, India stays cautious about the growing China-Russia alliance and holds its unique position within the SCO framework.

Modi’s first China visit since 2018 signals thaw

Modi’s trip to Tianjin is his first China visit since the deadly 2020 border clashes that took 20 Indian soldiers’ lives. Quiet negotiations over recent months have slowly melted the diplomatic freeze. Both leaders seem ready to steady their relations while handling ongoing territorial disputes.

Border tensions still exist, but Trump’s tariff announcement has sped up efforts to patch things up. Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO carries extra weight beyond regular diplomatic talks. This could open new paths for regional cooperation.

Putin strengthens China-Russia ties amid Western isolation

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Vladimir Putin landed in China for a rare four-day visit. His trip shows diplomatic defiance and stronger ties with Beijing while Western nations try to isolate Moscow. The length of his stay proves how much both countries value their partnership as global tensions rise.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin took a prominent spot at Xi’s right hand during planned military celebrations, beyond the formal SCO meetings. Their talks centered on building what Putin called a “stabilizing force” for international relations. The Kremlin stated they focused on creating a “just, multipolar world order” that challenges Western-led systems. Both leaders rejected any talk about Russia possibly improving relations with the US under Trump’s presidency.

Russia’s reliance on China for trade and diplomacy

Western sanctions after the Ukraine invasion have pushed Russia to depend more on Beijing’s economy. China provides 89% of Russia’s microchip imports and 47% of chip-making equipment. Beijing has become the only external supplier of vital minerals like gallium and germanium to Russia. This helps Russia bypass Western efforts to limit its military production.

Joint military displays and energy deals deepen alliance

The countries showed their “no-limits” partnership through recent naval exercises in the Sea of Japan. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller joined Putin’s team, with plans to sign three energy agreements. Their alliance now covers Arctic cooperation and regular military drills that show how well their armed forces work together.

Summit signals shift toward multipolar world order

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“”With peace, a country enjoys prosperity, just as with rain, the land can flourish.”” — Xi Jinping (quoting an Uzbekistan proverb), President of the People’s Republic of China

The SCO summit in Tianjin shows a remarkable change in global power dynamics. Countries that represent 40% of the world’s population and about a quarter of global GDP have gathered to challenge Western dominance.

SCO’s growing influence and Global South alignment

The SCO began with border security concerns but has grown into the foundation of China and Russia’s strategy to rebalance global power. The organization added Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, which shows its clear aim to create an anti-Western bloc. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recognized these changes in his message to Xi, saying “in this moment in which multilateralism is under fire, the support of China is an extremely important element to preserve”.

Xi’s vision of a stable alternative to US-led order

Chinese President Xi Jinping promotes his concept of a “community of common destiny for mankind” as the basis for a new global framework. This vision places China as the “indispensable convener in Eurasia”. Xi presents an alternative to Western models that emphasizes sovereignty and rejects what Beijing calls “group politics and bloc confrontation”.

What the summit reveals about Trump’s global impact

Trump’s unpredictable trade policies have created unexpected openings for Xi to build stronger ties with countries like India. Trump’s approach seems to be “backfiring” as nations move toward China-led institutions. An analyst pointed out, “This is a time when the US is burning bridges with almost every country”. This situation lets Xi present China as a “stable and powerful alternative leader”.

The SCO summit marks a turning point in global politics. It shows power moving away from Western dominance toward a multipolar world order. China’s President Xi has positioned his country as the key architect of this new framework. His alternative vision appeals to nations dealing with unpredictable Western policies. Modi attended despite border tensions, which shows how economic needs can reshape strategic thinking, especially after Trump announced unexpected tariffs.

Western sanctions have made Russia more dependent on China. Putin’s four-day visit highlights their deep partnership. Their “no-limits” relationship grows stronger through military displays, energy deals, and joint declarations. Both leaders see this alliance as a force against Western control.

The SCO has grown beyond just relationships between countries. Its members now make up nearly half the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP. No one can dismiss it as just a symbol anymore. The organization started with security in mind but has become a detailed platform for economic and diplomatic cooperation outside Western influence.

Trump’s strategy backfires as it pushes countries like India to work more with China-led institutions instead of Western allies. This summit shows how fast global power can change when traditional partners become unreliable. Alternative leadership emerges in these gaps. Regional powers build connections through forums like the SCO, and the dream of a multipolar world becomes real.