Putin Participates in Security Summit in Tianjin, China

TIANJIN, China - Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Tianjin, a major port city in northern China, for a significant regional security summit. This gathering aims to bolster cooperation among member nations, countering the influence of Western powers in global affairs.

During his four-day visit, Putin received a warm welcome, marked by a red carpet reception and a formal greeting from senior city officials, as reported by Russian state media outlet TASS. The relationship between China and Russia is currently described as the strongest in their shared history, characterized by stability and strategic importance, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host approximately 20 world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the upcoming two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This event represents the largest meeting of the SCO since its establishment in 2001, which originally included six Eurasian nations. The organization has since expanded to encompass ten permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries, broadening its focus from mere security and counter-terrorism to include economic and military collaboration.

At the summit, Xi is expected to illustrate the vision of a new world order that moves away from American dominance, simultaneously providing a prominent diplomatic platform for Russia, which continues to face sanctions due to its actions in Ukraine. In a written interview released just before his arrival, Putin criticized the Western sanctions imposed on Russia, emphasizing that both Moscow and Beijing stand united against what they describe as unfair trade restrictions.

Currently, the Russian economy is under significant strain, nearing recession as it grapples with trade limitations and the financial burdens resulting from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The summit in Tianjin is anticipated to draw leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, a move that China hopes will showcase solidarity among developing nations, often referred to as the "Global South."

This gathering comes at a crucial time as countries seek to form alliances that can provide an alternative to established Western-led frameworks, underscoring a shifting geopolitical landscape that prioritizes cooperation among emerging economies.