SCO Summit 2022: Xi Jinping Hosts Global South Leaders Amid Rising Tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping is poised to host over 20 global leaders at a security forum in China, marking a potent representation of unity among the Global South nations in our current socio-political climate, while simultaneously aiding Russia, which has been crippled by sanctions, in achieving another diplomatic victory. This upcoming regional security event sends a message of rising global collaboration, despite the strained international relationships in the era of ex-President Donald Trump.

Expected attendees to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to take place in Tianjin, China from the last day of August to the first of September, include head of states from vast regions, covering Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. A particularly notable participant will be Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose presence signifies his premiere visit to the Chinese mainland in over seven years. This visit manifests an ongoing effort from both India and China to diffuse the tensions that have persisted due to their lethal border disputes in 2020.

The summit also holds implications for a broader picture of global ties. Xi Jinping seeks to utilize this summit as a platform to illustrate how an international web of relationships and repercussions might shape up in a world where American influence is no longer the primary driving force. This comes amidst the various strategies used by the current White House administration in countering countries like China, Iran, Russia, and newly, India.

Challenging the U.S’s predominant position has been a major goal for various international groupings. These efforts seem to be having the intended effect, causing consternation in the U.S. As proof, one need only look at the degree to which formations like BRICS have ruffled the feathers of the former American president, Donald Trump.

This upcoming SCO summit marks a historic event, with anticipations of it being the grandest assembly since the inception of the organization in 2001. As per officials from the Chinese foreign ministry, the bloc represents an ‘essential force in shaping a novel format of international relations.’

The SCO, originally a security-focused consortium of six Eurasian countries, has evolved considerably over the years. It has broadened its membership to total 10 permanent members and boasts 16 dialogue and observer nations. The organization’s scope has similarly widened, now encompassing economic cooperation and military alliance in addition to its original mandate of security and counter-terrorism.

Though strides have been made, discord persists, particularly between integral members such as India and Pakistan. Challenges have been evidenced in recent times, like the inability to issue a collective statement during the SCO’s defense ministers’ meeting in June. India’s disagreement stemmed from the fact that the statement lacked any mention of the tragic attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir, which was followed by the most severe conflict between India and Pakistan in recent memory.

Despite ongoing conflicts, recent relaxation in the border tensions between India and China, coupled with the resurgent tariff demands on India by the American government, places hopes on a constructive meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit.

Experts predict that the countries might announce further steps toward establishing peace at the borders, such as the withdrawal of troops. They may also discuss the softening of trade and visa restrictions, collaboration in new areas, especially climate change, and plans for broadening interactions between governments and citizens. While such changes might seem incremental, they indicate a positive trend toward peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

However, the general consensus is that we should prepare for a summit that is more about symbolism and less about substantial policy pronouncements. This doesn’t, however, mean that the gathering’s potential impact on Global South countries should be disregarded. Its influential visuals create a ripple effect, reverberating across international relations.

The impact of such high-level diplomatic events can’t be underestimated. Olander, editor-in-chief of The China-Global South Project, added that this summit is, foremost, about showcasing powerful optics, thus influencing the global political narrative.

The conclusion of the summit will mark a divergence in the paths of the two key attendees. Modi is expected to leave China post-summit. However, Russian President Putin will extend his stay in China, marking an unusually long absence from Russia.

President Putin’s extended stay is set to land him a seat at a military parade commemorating World War II, set to occur in Beijing later in the week. With a combined display of overwhelming military power and international collaboration, China aims to leave a significant impact on the global stage.

Considering the current international relations, events like the SCO summit stand as a testament to shifting global dynamics. Careful observation and analysis of such events can help us decode the future political, social, and economic configurations, and the ways geopolitical power balances are adjusting.

While the SCO summit aims to provide a platform for constructive dialogue and cooperation among member nations, it also sends a more universally targeted message: perhaps in the face of mounting global challenges, it’s time that nations learned to put aside their historical differences and work towards fostering a more united and peaceful world.