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.
A motorist has injured several people after driving into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Île d’Oléron, authorities said on Tuesda...
China and Russia pledged to strengthen financial and economic cooperation during their 11th ministerial dialogue in Beijing, highlighting plans for jo...
An internationally coordinated action against alleged online fraud and money laundering networks that included German payment service providers result...
Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that China's economy will exceed 170 trillion yuan ($23.87 trillion) by 2030, presenting a big market opportunity f...
Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is expected to nominate his son, Levon Kocharyan, as the lead candidate for the “Armenia” bloc in the 2...
A motorist has injured several people after driving into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Île d’Oléron, authorities said on Tuesday, adding that two of the victims remain in intensive care, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.
China and Russia pledged to strengthen financial and economic cooperation during their 11th ministerial dialogue in Beijing, highlighting plans for joint action in global governance and multilateral institutions.
An internationally coordinated action against alleged online fraud and money laundering networks that included German payment service providers resulted in 18 arrests, German authorities said on Wednesday.
Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that China's economy will exceed 170 trillion yuan ($23.87 trillion) by 2030, presenting a big market opportunity for the world as trade restrictions rise globally.
Russia said on Monday that its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for over a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.
At least 37 people have died and five are missing after devastating floods and landslides hit central Vietnam, officials said Monday, as a new typhoon threatens to worsen the disaster.
The eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk has emerged as a critical point in Russia’s campaign to seize the remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk, and its fate could shape the course of the conflict in the region.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan vowed on Monday to move on from deadly protests set off by last week's disputed election as she was sworn into office for her first elected term.
Israel’s top military legal officer Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned last week, has been arrested over the leak of a video showing soldiers brutally assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison.
Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is expected to nominate his son, Levon Kocharyan, as the lead candidate for the “Armenia” bloc in the 2026 parliamentary elections, according to local media reports.
A wheat-loaded train has travelled to Armenia through Azerbaijan, APA reports, following President Ilham Aliyev’s announcement in Kazakhstan about lifting all post-occupation restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia.
Within the framework of the 'Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty,' and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs has awarded the winners of its journalists’ competition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced a major acceleration in Türkiye’s defence ambitions, pledging to move forward rapidly with homegrown projects and strengthen cooperation with Europe.
Israel’s top military legal officer Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned last week, has been arrested over the leak of a video showing soldiers brutally assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment