Xi to host Putin and Guterres at Shanghai Cooperation summit in Tianjin

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Russia’s Vladimir Putin, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and more than 20 heads of government at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September.

Beijing said on Friday that the gathering would focus on deepening political and security cooperation across a bloc representing about a quarter of the world’s population. Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin told reporters the meeting would produce a “Tianjin Declaration” outlining fresh commitments.

The summit comes just days before China stages one of its largest military parades in years, and amid tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign and trade policies. Analysts say disagreements on issues including Israel, Gaza and tariffs are drawing regional leaders closer to Beijing.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will later host Trump and Southeast Asian leaders at an October summit.

“The more turbulent and complex the international situation becomes, the more important it is for all countries to strengthen unity and cooperation,” Liu said, citing the SCO’s role in promoting “lasting peace.”

At last year’s meeting in Astana, leaders pledged closer coordination on counterterrorism, renewable energy and the digital economy. This year’s summit is expected to expand on those areas while addressing regional security concerns.

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