On , Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit hosted by President Xi Jinping, beginning a rare four-day visit that underscores deepening China–Russia ties and Beijing’s bid to rally the “Global South.”
Key Takeaways
- Putin received a red-carpet welcome in Tianjin at the start of a four-day visit; his arrival was broadcast live by Russia’s TASS.
- Xi Jinping is hosting a two-day SCO summit with about 20 world leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The SCO has expanded to 10 permanent members, with 16 dialogue and observer partners.
- The bloc’s remit has broadened from security and counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation.
- Chinese state broadcaster CCTV called China–Russia relations the “best in history.”
- In a pre-visit interview with Xinhua, Putin criticized “discriminatory” Western sanctions; Russia’s economy is near recession amid war costs and trade curbs, according to recent reporting.
- Beijing aims to showcase the SCO as a counterweight to Western influence and as a platform for Global South coordination.
Verified Facts
Chinese and Russian state media reported that Putin landed in the northern port city of Tianjin on Sunday and was greeted on the tarmac by senior municipal officials. Footage carried by TASS showed a formal ceremony and red carpet welcome.
President Xi will convene roughly 20 heads of state and government for the SCO’s two-day leaders’ meeting in Tianjin, in what officials describe as the largest SCO gathering since the organization was founded in 2001 by six Eurasian nations.
The SCO now counts 10 full members and maintains 16 dialogue and observer partnerships. While the bloc’s original focus centered on regional security and counter-terrorism, recent summits have elevated economic coordination and defense-related cooperation on the agenda.
CCTV described current China–Russia relations as the strongest on record, characterizing the partnership as “stable, mature and strategically significant” among major powers. China is Russia’s largest trading partner, and Putin’s trip is described by state outlets as a rare four-day visit.
On the eve of his arrival, Putin told China’s official Xinhua news agency that Moscow and Beijing oppose “discriminatory” sanctions in global trade. Reuters and other outlets have reported Russia’s economy is hovering near recession amid sanctions and the cost of the war in Ukraine.
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| Summit | SCO leaders’ meeting in Tianjin |
| Summit length | Two days |
| Putin’s visit | Four days |
| Leaders expected | About 20 |
| SCO full members | 10 |
| Dialogue/observers | 16 |
Context & Impact
Beijing is expected to use the Tianjin summit to highlight a vision of multipolar governance less centered on U.S.-led institutions. The presence of leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia aligns with China’s effort to frame the SCO as a hub for the Global South.
For Moscow, the optics of a high-profile multilateral stage—and a warm reception from China—offer diplomatic reinforcement as Western sanctions continue to bite. Expanded SCO economic and security dialogues could help Russia mitigate isolation by deepening regional linkages.
India’s participation, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance, underscores the SCO’s broad tent. It also illustrates how key Asian powers pursue pragmatic engagement within regional groupings despite bilateral frictions elsewhere.
Official Statements
China–Russia ties are at their best in history—stable, mature and strategically significant among major countries.
CCTV (Chinese state broadcaster)
Moscow and Beijing jointly oppose discriminatory sanctions in global trade.
Vladimir Putin, interview with Xinhua
Unconfirmed
- Specific deliverables from any Xi–Putin bilateral meeting.
- Whether the summit will announce new members, observers or major economic initiatives.
- Final communiqués on Ukraine, sanctions or defense cooperation—text not yet released.
Bottom Line
Putin’s Tianjin arrival sets the stage for a high-visibility SCO summit that Beijing hopes will project non-Western solidarity. The meeting offers Moscow diplomatic backing and gives China a platform to advance a multipolar narrative, even as sanctions and geopolitical tensions loom over the proceedings.