Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the three-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. During their meeting, Xi stressed the importance of conserving the unique value in China-Russia relations and exploring the internal driving force of bilateral cooperation.
The frequent interactions between the leaders of these two major countries come at a time of significant international turbulence and changes. Chinese experts underscore that these meetings are vital for promoting peace and stability while driving development in the Eurasian region.
Xi emphasized that in the face of an international situation fraught with turbulence and changes, China and Russia should maintain their original aspiration of lasting friendship and stick to their determination of benefiting the people. According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi urged efforts to safeguard legitimate rights and interests and uphold the basic norms governing international relations.
The meeting in Astana follows their last encounter from May 16 to 17, when Putin paid a state visit to China, marking his first overseas trip after being sworn in for a new term. Experts interpret this high frequency of meetings as a sign of Russia’s increasing determination to “turn to the East” under Western pressure.
“This is especially important given today’s complex and chaotic world situation,” said Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation. “With the upcoming US presidential election, the international landscape is anticipated to become even more complicated.”
Yang Jin, an associate research fellow with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of the close interaction between Xi and Putin for maintaining regional stability and peace, and setting the direction for advancing regional development.
Counter-Terrorism and Regional Security
Counter-terrorism is a key focus of this SCO summit and is expected to be a significant topic in bilateral discussions. Russia has experienced several deadly terrorist attacks this year, increasing the risk of terrorism in the Eurasian continent.
“The importance of counter-terrorism cooperation within the SCO for China and Russia is becoming more prominent,” Cui noted. He emphasized the necessity for joint actions to combat terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism, as well as enhancing cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
Practical cooperation aimed at promoting the steady development of trade exchanges between China and Russia is likely to be a major discussion point between Xi and Putin. This includes specific areas such as energy, cross-border transportation, and new-energy sectors. Yang indicated that they might also discuss the construction of a new natural gas pipeline project and the deepening of cooperation in Central Asia.
While the SCO summit focuses on promoting joint development, Western media have been critical of the partnership between China and Russia. CNN reported that Beijing and Moscow aim to transform the SCO from a regional security bloc into a geopolitical counterweight to Western institutions led by the US. The Wall Street Journal also suggested that Central Asia is moving further into China’s orbit as Russia loosens its grip on former Soviet republics.
Experts refute these claims, arguing that SCO member states are more interested in addressing their urgent issues of stability and development through close economic and trade cooperation rather than engaging in power games. They criticize the Western perspective for underestimating Central Asian countries by treating them as subordinate to major powers.
“Central Asian countries are well aware of their needs and are not mere pawns to be fought over,” remarked Cui. Cooperation with China fulfills their national interests, driven by the complementarity of China-Central Asia economic and trade ties. Central Asia, with its abundant resources and crucial transportation hubs, needs China for funding, technology, and market stability.
The meeting between Xi and Putin in Astana highlights the strong and evolving relationship between China and Russia. As the international landscape continues to shift, the strategic partnership between these two nations will play a critical role in promoting regional stability and development, countering terrorism, and enhancing economic cooperation. Despite criticism from Western media, the focus remains on addressing the urgent needs of SCO member states and fostering a collaborative environment for mutual benefit.
