China and Russia emphasize 'transformative changes in global geopolitics'

Statements delivered during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit highlight the shifting global power dynamics away from US dominance.

The leaders of China and Russia have called on allies to resist external influences, emphasizing the evolving global power structures and the emergence of a multipolar world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. The SCO, viewed by Moscow and Beijing as a counterbalance to US dominance, serves as a platform for regional cooperation.

Both leaders urged member countries to stand together against external interference. Xi stressed the importance of supporting each other and safeguarding regional peace and development. Putin echoed Xi's sentiments by highlighting the rise of new political and economic centers.

The SCO released a joint declaration recognizing significant changes in global politics and advocating for an enhanced role in global and regional security. The declaration addresses escalating the use of force, violations of international law, and growing geopolitical tensions.

Although not directly mentioning specific geopolitical issues, the declaration reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

'A just world order'

President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping [File: Sergey Bobylev/Sputnik via Reuters]

Putin and Xi criticized US dominance while championing a multipolar world. Putin welcomed Belarus as the tenth SCO member, emphasizing the expansion of states advocating for a just world order.

The SCO, founded in 2001, has gained prominence for fostering cooperation in security and economics among its member countries, representing a significant portion of the global population and GDP.

The bloc's diverse membership, including Iran and Western-sanctioned countries like Iran, reflects the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. The SCO's focus on security and economic cooperation serves as a counterweight to Western influence in Central Asia.

The bloc's final declaration criticized the unilateral build-up of missile defense systems by certain countries and regional alliances, a recurring point of contention between Moscow, Beijing, and the US.