Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to Join Central Asia Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to attend a regional summit in Central Asia, uniting countries opposed to the West. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) alliance will hold its latest session in Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also in attendance.
The SCO, founded in 2001, includes full members China, India, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, aiming to cooperate as an alternative to the Western world order. The meeting is significant as Belarus joins as the 10th full member, reflecting a growing alliance against Western hegemony.
Key Points from the Summit:
- Putin emphasizes importance of the SCO in a multipolar world order
- Russia and China oppose US-led hegemony
- Erdogan seeks fair peace in Ukraine and mediates between warring countries
- Growing economic competition between Russia and China in Central Asia
- Focus on security, economics, and developing transport routes between Asia and Europe
The summit highlights the shifting power dynamics in the region, with major powers seeking alternative routes amid Western sanctions and competing for influence in Central Asia.