Global Spotlight on Beijing as SCO Leaders Gather and China Flaunts Military Might

Tianjin, China — China is staging a week of high-powered diplomacy and military display, hosting more than two dozen world leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin and a massive military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Together, the events offer a rare window into Beijing’s strategic ambitions, shifting alliances and growing efforts to expand its influence beyond Asia.

SCO Summit: Expanding Eurasian Cooperation

Founded in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian nations, the SCO was initially conceived as a security forum to address cross-border terrorism and regional stability. Over time, it has evolved into a broad-based political and economic bloc, now counting 10 full members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.

This year’s summit in Tianjin brings together leaders and representatives from nearly three dozen countries, underscoring the grouping’s expanding reach.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lead the lineup of high-profile attendees.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly are present as dialogue partners, highlighting SCO’s appeal beyond its core Eurasian base.
• Delegations from Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam further reflect Beijing’s push to tighten its Southeast Asian partnerships.
• Notably absent is Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, who canceled his trip due to protests at home.

The Tianjin summit is expected to focus on regional security, trade connectivity, energy cooperation and counterterrorism, with Russia and Iran pushing for stronger coordination amid Western sanctions and conflicts.

Beijing Parade: Military Might on Display

Following the summit, the attention shifts to Beijing, where Xi Jinping will preside over a grand military parade down Chang’an Avenue on Wednesday. The spectacle is designed to demonstrate China’s growing defense capabilities, featuring:

• More than 100 aircraft, including advanced fighter jets and bombers.
• Dozens of missile systems and heavy artillery.
• Thousands of PLA soldiers marching in lockstep through Tiananmen Square.

But just as significant as the weaponry will be the diplomatic optics.

While many SCO leaders are expected to stay for the parade, others — including India, Egypt and Turkey — will quietly leave beforehand. Their absence reflects political sensitivities; many U.S. partners avoid appearing alongside China at overt military showcases.

Filling the gap is an unexpected guest: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although he skipped the SCO summit, Kim will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at the parade — a striking tableau of authoritarian solidarity.

For Kim, this marks his first face-to-face meeting with Xi in over six years and his first multilateral appearance with global leaders since taking power in 2011.

Geopolitical Significance

The SCO summit and Beijing parade together project a carefully crafted image of China as both a regional convener and a military power.

For Beijing, the SCO reinforces its role as a leader in Eurasian cooperation, building alternatives to Western-dominated forums.
For Moscow, the parade provides a stage to demonstrate that Russia is not isolated despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
For Pyongyang, Kim’s attendance signals North Korea’s willingness to align more openly with Beijing and Moscow at a time of heightened confrontation with the West.

The symbolism of Xi, Putin and Kim possibly seated together in Tiananmen Square is hard to miss. It comes as the United States and its allies intensify efforts to counter China’s influence and support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

Beijing has maintained formal neutrality on Ukraine but has refused to condemn Moscow’s actions. Western officials accuse China of supplying dual-use technology and critical components that help sustain Russia’s defense industry. Meanwhile, North Korea has reportedly sent soldiers and ammunition to aid Russian forces, cementing what analysts call an “axis of convenience” among the three powers.

Looking Ahead

The outcomes of the SCO summit will shape regional cooperation in energy, trade and security, while the Beijing parade is likely to deepen perceptions of a China-Russia-North Korea alignment in defiance of Western pressure.

As Beijing welcomes allies and partners while carefully managing absences, the week underscores China’s central role in reshaping the geopolitical balance across Eurasia — blending soft-power diplomacy with a hard-power show of force.

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