In a recent summit held in Kazakhstan, the leaders of Russia and China, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping respectively, have declared a "tectonic shift" in the global order, a move seen as a direct challenge to Western dominance.
The summit was organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional bloc that both Russia and China view as a counterbalance to the United States' global influence.
According to the Daily Mail, the summit ended with a joint declaration, released by the Kremlin, in which the SCO leaders noted 'tectonic shifts in global politics' and called for the bloc to play a more significant role in global and regional security. The declaration stated, 'The use of force is increasing, the norms of international law are systemically being violated, geopolitical confrontation and conflicts are growing, and risks to stability in the world and the SCO region are multiplying.'
While the declaration did not directly address Russia's invasion of Ukraine or China's ongoing dispute with Taiwan, it did emphasize the group's 'mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states.'
President Xi Jinping urged the member countries to 'resist external interference,' while President Putin highlighted the emergence of 'new centres' of political and economic power. Xi told the summit, 'We should join hands to resist external interference, firmly support each other, take care of each other's concerns... and firmly control the future and destiny of our countries and regional peace and development in our own hands.' He further stressed the importance of the SCO aligning with 'fairness and justice.'
Both Russia and China have consistently criticized what they perceive as U.S. dominance in global affairs and are actively seeking to increase their influence and control, especially in regions close to their borders.
'The multipolar world has become a reality,' Putin declared at the summit. He also celebrated the inclusion of Russia's close ally, Belarus, as the tenth member of the bloc. 'The circle of states that stand for a just world order and are ready to resolutely defend their legitimate rights and protect traditional values is expanding,' Putin said. 'New centres of power and economic growth are strengthening,' he added.
The SCO, established in 2001, has gained prominence in recent years. Its full members include China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. The organization aims to serve as a platform for cooperation in competition with the West, focusing on security and economics, particularly in Central Asia. It claims to represent 40 percent of the global population and about 30 percent of its GDP.
However, the SCO is a diverse group with numerous internal disagreements, including territorial disputes. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened the interest of major powers in Central Asia, a region rich in oil and gas and a crucial transport route between Asia and Europe.
Despite these internal conflicts, the SCO's shared anti-Western agenda was evident at the summit. The bloc criticized the 'unilateral and unrestricted build-up' of missile defense systems by unnamed countries and regional alliances, a common grievance shared by both Moscow and Beijing, typically directed at the United States.
The SCO also called for an 'early, complete and sustainable ceasefire' in Gaza with a 'comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question.'
The next summit of leaders will be hosted by Pakistan in October, as announced by Pakistan's foreign ministry. The ministry's spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed that 'all heads of governments of SCO member states' would be invited. This includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, a neighboring rival, who did not attend this summit but is expected in Moscow in the coming days. This will be his first visit to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The recent summit and its outcomes underscore the shifting dynamics of global politics, with Russia and China positioning themselves as formidable players against Western dominance. The SCO's growing influence and its potential impact on global security and economics cannot be ignored.
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