Beijing: chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified his bid to reshape the international order by hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and other allies at a high-profile summit and military parade in Beijing this week. The gathering underscored China’s alignment with Moscow and its challenge to Western influence, while prompting sharp responses from Europe and cautious engagement from India and the wider Global South.
Xi rolled out proposals for expanded cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), including a development bank, an energy cooperation platform, and greater adoption of China’s BeiDou satellite system. He called on member states to reject Cold War–style blocs and pledged more than a billion dollars in loans to developing countries, describing the initiatives as steps toward a multipolar world.
The summit also highlighted China’s deepening strategic ties with Russia, particularly in the energy sector, where cooperation on pipelines and oil supplies continues to expand despite Western sanctions. Putin, speaking alongside Xi, insisted that NATO’s enlargement must be addressed for peace in Ukraine to be possible, echoing the Kremlin’s long-standing position.
In Europe, leaders reacted with renewed resolve to support Ukraine. Recent missile strikes on Kyiv, which killed civilians and damaged European institutions, drew condemnation from Brussels and London. EU officials described the attacks as war crimes, while countries such as France and Germany pushed for stricter sanctions and debated using frozen Russian assets worth more than €200 billion to aid Ukraine. European leaders also voiced unease over China’s growing partnership with Russia, warning that Beijing’s stance undermines global peace efforts.
India’s role at the summit drew particular attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi signaled his intent to improve ties with China while reaffirming strong energy and defense relations with Russia. Despite U.S. tariffs and Western pressure, India continues to buy discounted Russian oil, framing the relationship as essential to its economic stability and development goals. Indian officials emphasized that New Delhi seeks balance, aiming to remain a bridge between the West and the emerging Global South.
Across the Global South, Xi’s vision found receptive audiences, with many nations attracted by China’s development financing and calls for a fairer international system. However, analysts caution that much of the momentum may be symbolic, with real tests ahead in translating promises into lasting cooperation.
Media coverage reflects the global divide. Western outlets have framed the summit as a direct challenge to the U.S.-led order, while Indian media focused on Modi’s warm ties with Putin and China’s acknowledgment of India’s rising influence. U.S. officials dismissed the summit as largely performative, though they acknowledged that the optics of Xi, Putin, and Modi together send a powerful geopolitical signal.
As Beijing prepares to stage its largest-ever military parade on September 3, featuring advanced weapons systems and foreign leaders as guests of honor, the message is clear: China is positioning itself not as a neutral mediator but as a central force in an emerging world order that stands in opposition to Western dominance.