The Shanghai Cooperation Organization makes no secret of the anti-Western attitude of the member states.
(Photo: IMAGO/ITAR-TASS)
China’s leader Xi Jinping’s three-day trip is remarkable for at least two reasons. First, the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathering was the first meeting between the two leaders since the start of Russia’s war of aggression.
Xi and Putin reassured each other of their bond, Xi calling Putin an “old friend”. This means that Beijing continues to unreservedly support Putin’s course – despite the Russian atrocities in Ukraine. Despite the fact that Putin is now considered a pariah in the West. And despite the obvious military problems that Russia has in Ukraine.
Xi will be clear that fraternizing with Putin and supporting his war is causing lasting damage to ties with Europe and the US. This is a risk that should not be underestimated because the western markets continue to play a very important role for China. And the second largest economy is currently suffering from a weakness anyway.
The fact that Xi also attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting on his first trip abroad since the pandemic began is the second reason why the trip is noteworthy. Because it points to a dangerous development for the world community.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Anti-Western stance of the SCO
In addition to Russia and China, the SCO also includes India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. And the countries involved make no secret of the fact that this is an anti-Western alliance.
China is striving for a leading role. Whether it will be possible to unite the diverging interests is anything but certain. Still, it’s something the US and Europe should be watching very closely. China is building a world where autocracies support and legitimize each other.
More: Summit meeting of the great Asian powers: only good for staging?