Ever wonder what a united non-Western world looks like? China is gathering an unprecedented assembly of global leaders for a major summit and military parade. They’re showcasing a new era of collaboration and influence. What could this mean for the future of international relations?
China is poised to host a pivotal gathering of world leaders, aiming to spotlight a distinctive non-Western approach to regional and global collaboration. President Xi Jinping will welcome prominent figures, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi, to a significant summit, preceding a grand military parade designed to underscore Beijing’s growing influence on the international stage.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, spanning Sunday and Monday, serves as a crucial platform for this diplomatic endeavor. Following closely, a massive military parade in Beijing will commemorate a historical milestone, with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un also slated to attend, further amplifying the event’s geopolitical weight.
The SCO, an organization sometimes posited as an alternative to Western-centric military pacts, has been instrumental for key member states like China and Russia in solidifying relationships with Central Asian nations. This regional bloc facilitates deeper economic and security ties, fostering a multi-polar world order.
As major global powers navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, the SCO emerges as a significant forum where nations are actively seeking to expand their influence and cooperation outside traditional Western frameworks. Beijing views this as an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to convene diverse leadership.
Experts like Lizzi Lee from the Asia Society Policy Institute highlight that hosting such an array of leaders allows Beijing to exhibit considerable “convening power.” However, the SCO’s operational principle of consensus among members often leads to tempered ambitions, especially with countries holding divergent views, such as India and Pakistan, or China and India.
Beijing’s broader objective is to illustrate its capability to unite various global leaders and reinforce the narrative that international governance is not exclusively dominated by Western powers. This strategic positioning aims to reshape perceptions of global leadership and collaboration, impacting international relations.
Vladimir Putin’s presence at the summit is particularly noteworthy, underscoring a desire to demonstrate a lack of international isolation and to reaffirm strategic partnerships. His attendance emphasizes Russia’s continued visibility and role within Eurasia, reinforcing its geopolitical alliances in the region.
The event also comes amid signs of improving diplomatic relations between China and India, following a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi last October. Both nations announced intentions to resume direct flights, advance border discussions, and boost trade, signaling a thaw in bilateral ties at the China summit.
Beyond the summit, the military parade will feature other significant attendees, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, showcasing the breadth of international participation and the diverse network of relationships China is cultivating with non-Western alliances.
