Putin’s Four-Day Visit to China: SCO Summit and Victory Day Commemorations
On Sunday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Tianjin, China, starting a four-day official visit to the country. This visit coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he will participate alongside other world leaders. The summit will focus on enhancing regional security, furthering economic cooperation, and deepening cultural and humanitarian ties among member states. The summit is also expected to address key issues such as transport, energy, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and green development. A final declaration and a long-term strategic plan through the year 2035 are expected to be approved.
In addition to the SCO summit, Putin will attend the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, which took place on September 2, 1945. This commemoration is set to take place in Beijing, where he will also have bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 2. During these discussions, economic cooperation, international security, and regional issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and relations with the United States, will likely be central topics. On September 3, Putin will participate in large-scale Victory Day commemorations, honoring the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Around ten bilateral meetings with foreign leaders are also planned during the summit. These include meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The discussions are expected to cover a range of topics, including economic cooperation, international security, and regional issues. Putin’s visit is seen as an opportunity to strengthen Russia’s relationships with other nations and to discuss shared interests and challenges in the global arena.