Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on China and Russia to build even stronger ties during a high-level diplomatic meeting held in Beijing. The request came during a discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as both leaders attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ gathering.

Xi said that China and Russia should continue to support each other at international platforms and work together to create a fairer global order. His message was aimed not only at Russia but also at other countries in the Global South — a term often used to describe developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Support at Global Forums

According to Chinese sources, President Xi told Lavrov that their two nations should give more backing to one another at important world gatherings, especially when facing criticism or challenges from Western countries. He said they must work side by side to guide the world toward a system that is more equal and just for all.

Xi’s comments come at a time when both China and Russia are under international pressure. Russia continues to face criticism and sanctions from the West over its war in Ukraine, while China is often at odds with countries like the United States over trade, technology, and the South China Sea.

Talks on Key Political Issues

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the meeting also included conversations about key political issues between China and Russia. These talks are believed to have covered ongoing cooperation and planning for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China. Putin is expected to take part in a major SCO summit and attend ceremonies marking the end of World War II.

The discussion between Xi and Lavrov happened shortly after Xi held another session with all foreign ministers attending the SCO meeting.

Talks on Ukraine and U.S. Relations

On Sunday, before meeting with Xi, Lavrov also had talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine and the state of their countries’ relations with the United States.

Lavrov’s trip to China followed a visit to North Korea, where he was given support for Russia’s position in the Ukraine war. North Korea expressed strong backing for Russia during that trip.

China, while saying it is neutral in the Ukraine conflict, has taken a careful approach. Chinese officials often speak about the need to end the war but avoid directly blaming Russia. They have never publicly asked Russia to remove its troops from Ukraine, and many countries believe China is helping Russia indirectly.

Western Concerns Over China’s Role

Many countries that support Ukraine, including the United States and European Union members, are worried about China’s position. They think that China may be helping Russia by providing materials or goods that support the war effort, although China has denied doing so.

China regularly says it wants peace and calls for the fighting to stop. However, Chinese leaders also blame the West for prolonging the war by continuing to send weapons and other aid to Ukraine.

SCO: A Growing Alliance

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a group made up of 10 member countries. It was formed to promote peace, security, and cooperation in Asia. It includes countries like China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

China sees the SCO as a powerful alternative to Western groups like NATO and wants to use it to strengthen relationships among member countries. Through this alliance, China hopes to reduce the influence of the United States and Europe in Asia and across the world.

Xi said that political trust among the SCO member countries has grown stronger in recent years. He believes the SCO is showing the world a new way of working together that fits the needs of modern times and respects all members equally.

Focus on Regional Unity

President Xi’s speech highlighted the importance of building unity among countries in Asia and the Global South. He stressed that strong partnerships based on respect and fairness can lead to a better global future.

“The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has found a path of regional cooperation that fits the current times and benefits all its members,” Xi said. He explained that the group is setting an example of how countries can work together without outside pressure.

Who Attended the Talks

The SCO meeting in Beijing brought together top diplomats from many countries. Along with Russia’s Lavrov, the event was attended by India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Other ministers from Central Asian countries also joined the talks.

These foreign ministers are preparing for a major SCO summit to be held later this year, which Russian President Putin is expected to attend.

What This Means for the World

The meeting between Xi Jinping and Sergei Lavrov shows that China and Russia are continuing to grow closer. Their strong partnership could have a big impact on global politics.

As the world becomes more divided between Western countries and groups like the SCO, some experts say this could lead to a new kind of power struggle. The SCO wants to give smaller and developing countries more of a voice on the world stage, especially when it comes to decisions about peace, trade, and development.

At the same time, critics worry that the closer ties between China and Russia may allow dangerous actions — like the war in Ukraine — to continue without consequences.

President Xi’s message during the Beijing meeting was clear: China and Russia want to lead the way in building a new world order, one that is fairer and more balanced, especially for countries in the Global South. By working together and bringing other SCO countries into the conversation, they hope to reduce the dominance of Western nations and create a system based on equal respect and cooperation.

The coming months, especially with the SCO summit on the horizon, will show how much influence this group can have on world affairs — and how the rest of the world will respond to it.