Xi, Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after meeting at SCO summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to reinforce their strategic ties and deepen coordination amid rising tensions with the United States and its allies. The SCO aims to maintain regional stability and spur growth in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Xi emphasized that the SCO is committed to preserving regional stability and fostering development amidst increasing uncertainty. He expressed China's readiness to collaborate with various stakeholders, including Russia, to discuss the organisation's future, support its steady and long-term growth, and bolster its role in global governance and the pursuit of multipolar world order. Putin echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of enhancing solidarity and cooperation within the SCO and playing a guiding role.

During their meeting, Putin acknowledged the strong bilateral relations between Moscow and Beijing, describing them as a model for state-to-state relations. He highlighted the willingness of Russia to further strengthen cooperation with China across various sectors, such as trade, energy, industry, transport, science, and technology. Xi reiterated that relevant departments from both nations are actively implementing their agreed-upon initiatives, which have already yielded significant results.

The two leaders also discussed potential cooperation areas, although the specific details were not provided. Trade between China and Russia rebounded in the first half of the year, with the trade volume increasing by around 25% compared to the previous year, reaching nearly US$159 billion in the first seven months. Energy, particularly the stalled Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, is expected to be a crucial talking point, as Moscow seeks to expand its economic presence in Asia.

However, no final commercial contract has been signed, and key issues such as pricing, financing, supply commitments, and construction timelines remain unresolved.

Despite their strong relationship, both leaders have refrained from declaring a formal alliance, acknowledging that the ongoing Ukraine war has left Russia increasingly dependent on China for trade, technology, and diplomatic support. The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states, has since expanded to include India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.

Chinese state media has framed the SCO summit as an opportunity to broaden its scope beyond security cooperation into areas such as trade, connectivity, digital development, and global governance. However, member states' diverse perspectives on issues like the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, as well as their differing relations with Russia, complicate the SCO's efforts to challenge Western influence.