Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as leaders from across Asia and other partner countries gather for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The two-day summit, taking place on August 31 and September 1, brings together major regional leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting comes at a time of growing global tensions, with the war in Ukraine, the conflict involving Iran and the wider relationship between Western powers and the Eurasian bloc expected to feature prominently in discussions.
For Xi and Putin, the summit provides an opportunity to reinforce their close strategic relationship. The leaders are also expected to hold bilateral talks covering economic cooperation, energy and major international issues. Among the key areas under discussion is the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would further strengthen energy ties between China and Russia.
The SCO has increasingly become an important platform for China and Russia to promote closer cooperation with countries across Asia and the Middle East. The organisation now includes 10 member states, with several other countries participating as dialogue partners. While the group does not officially describe itself as an anti-Western alliance, China and Russia have increasingly used the platform to promote a greater role for non-Western powers in global affairs.
This year's summit also comes as the ongoing conflict in Iran puts additional pressure on the organisation. The crisis is testing how far China, Russia and other SCO members are willing to coordinate on regional security and respond to growing tensions involving the United States.
For Putin, closer ties with China remain particularly important as Russia faces continued pressure from Western countries and the economic impact of the Ukraine war. For Xi, the summit offers another opportunity to strengthen China's influence across Eurasia while maintaining strategic cooperation with Russia.
With several major powers gathered in one place, the Bishkek summit is expected to send an important signal about the changing balance of power and the growing importance of cooperation across the Eurasian region.
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