The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit opened in Tianjin on 31 August, gathering leaders from across Eurasia and the Global South.
The gathering highlighted not only regional security and economic cooperation but also the evolving role of the organisation as a platform for shaping the international order beyond Western influence.
Azerbaijani–Chinese meeting in Tianjin
On the sidelines of the summit, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two statesmen posed for an official photograph before moving into talks that underlined the strength of their partnership.
Xi welcomed the Azerbaijani leader as “my dear friend” and thanked him for accepting his invitation to attend the SCO Plus summit, as well as ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over foreign military aggression. The Chinese president stressed that ties with Baku have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, recalling Aliyev’s previous state visit to Beijing as a turning point.
Xi pointed to the growth in trade, the expansion of cooperation in renewable energy and the digital economy, and the rising importance of Azerbaijan in China’s Belt and Road initiative. He highlighted the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian route, a vital link for Chinese cargo through the Middle Corridor.
The Chinese head of state affirmed his country’s respect for Azerbaijan’s independent development model, its principle of non-interference, and the importance of direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan for long-term peace.
Aliyev on priorities and foreign policy
The Azerbaijani president thanked Xi for the invitation and congratulated China on the anniversary commemorations. He described relations with Beijing as one of the priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy and stressed the significance of the comprehensive strategic partnership document signed during his earlier state visit.
Aliyev reiterated Baku’s support for China’s position on Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, recalling that Azerbaijan was among the first states to denounce the elections held in Taiwan. He underlined the sharp rise in trade turnover, the growing volume of Chinese cargo transiting through Azerbaijan, and the development of tourism following the introduction of visa-free travel.
Turning to regional issues, Aliyev said negotiations with Armenia on normalisation and peace are continuing on a bilateral basis, stressing that peace has already been achieved between the two countries.
Hikmat Hajiyev on future cooperation
Hikmat Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to the Azerbaijani president, offered further details on the scope of cooperation:
“China and Azerbaijan always support one another. We have high-level political engagement and a comprehensive strategic partnership. Along with traditional trade, we see potential in technological development, energy, renewables and modern technologies.”
He added that Aliyev would hold extensive meetings with Chinese companies in energy, communications, technology and other sectors. Beyond commerce, Hajiyev pointed to humanitarian exchanges, tourism, and cultural engagement as areas with strong prospects for growth.
Wider summit context
The Tianjin summit also hosted a meeting between Xi and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation and support each other’s core interests.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attending his first visit to China in seven years, held direct talks with Xi as well. The two neighbours, often at odds over their Himalayan border, signalled a thaw. Modi spoke of a “peace and stability” atmosphere on the frontier, while both sides emphasised that border disputes should not define the overall relationship.
With around 20 world figures in attendance, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, the SCO’s two-day summit is one of the largest gatherings since the organisation’s founding in 2001. It showcases the group’s growing weight as a forum for security, trade and diplomacy across Eurasia.
World leaders return to the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday...
Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for a four-day visit focused on artificial intelligence, the future of...
Ukrainian soldier’s daughter asks when he is coming home as war keeps families apart....
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low on Thursday, as Iran reiterated that it will neither enter into new negotiations with the United States nor re-open the Strait as long as its conditions are not met, despite recent indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold an urgent high-level meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The meeting comes as Tehran seeks to distance itself from the rapid advance of its Houthi allies.
The 81st UN General Assembly has wrapped up its third day in New York on Thursday, with world leaders delivering high-level speeches and holding diplomatic meetings.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday, 24 September, for talks focused on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the war with Iran.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held talks on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. They discussed progress towards peace and the development of economic and transport links between the two countries.
Fourteen Kazakh military personnel died after being swept out to sea during a naval training exercise in the western Mangistau region, authorities said on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted a forceful defence of Israel's actions in the region at the United Nations on Thursday, seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of elections he could lose, as dozens of delegates streamed out.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated again, with Pakistani security sources saying its troops thwarted an attempted Afghan Taliban attack in the Gulistan sector of Balochistan on Thursday, along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan, killing several Taliban fighters.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used his address to the UN General Assembly's 81st session in New York this week to make a two-part case: that Georgia is becoming an indispensable regional hub, and that it remains open to repairing ties with international partners.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment