Summary of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
This article details the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in โฃtianjin, China, highlighting its significance in a shifting global landscape. here’s a breakdown of the keyโค takeaways:
Key Themes & SCO’s Role:
Increased obligation: xi Jinping โemphasized the SCO’s growing role in maintaining โregional peaceโ and stability, strengthening member unity, and promoting global progress.
Largest Summit Yet: The summit was the โคlargest in SCOโข history, โฃcomprising its 10 member states (China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan,โค Kirgistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus)โค plus 16 dialog/observer countries.
Countering Global Trade Tensions: The summit occurred amidst US tradeโ tensions, prompting countriesโฃ to seek choice โtrading partners.
Evolving Forum: SCO has evolved into a platform for economic and security cooperation, with China expanding its economic influence and Russia relying on it to maintain โCentral Asian ties, especially dueโข to the war in Ukraine.
India’s chance: The summit provided india with a significantโฃ platform,especially given strained relations with the โคUS โคdue to tariffs. Modi’s visit marked his first to China in seven years.
Multilateralismโ & China’s Role: UN Secretary-General Guterres affirmed theโข importance of multilateralism and lauded China as a fundamental pillar โof the international system.
Bilateral Meetings & Key Discussions:
Russia-China: Described as having their “best relationship in history,”โ both โฃcountries rejected Western sanctions. Russia is increasingly reliant on China economically due to the warโ in Ukraine.
Tรผrkiye-China: Discussions focused on Chinese investment in Tรผrkiye, as well as regional conflicts like Gaza, ukraine, and rebuilding Syria. Both countries emphasized independent growth.
Azerbaijan-China: โข Azerbaijan โsought to strengthen โฃits strategic partnership with China, focusing โon the Trans-Kaspia transportation route and energy cooperation. China supports Azerbaijan’s โfull โSCO membership and recognizes Nagorn-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
Armenia-China: Armenia elevatedโ its relationship with โคChina toโข a strategic partnership, aiming for increased cooperation inโค areas like Belt and โคRoad,โฃ connectivity, and cultural exchange. china supports Armenia’s expandedโ role within the SCO.
* Taiwan: Both Azerbaijan โand Armenia reaffirmed their adherence to the “one-China principle,” recognizing Taiwan as part of China, despite โขTaiwan’s self-governance and assertions of sovereignty.
the summit demonstratesโ the SCO’s growing importance as a counterweight โขto Western influence and a platform for cooperation among nations seeking alternative economic andโ security partnerships.