Implications of the SCO Summit Week in China

Between August 31 and September 1, 2025, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, and the subsequent WWII commemorative parade in Beijing showcased China’s rising diplomatic and strategic influence. Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin projected unprecedented warmth, while Pakistan leveraged the summit to advance security concerns and bilateral ties with China, Iran, and Russia. The summit saw agreements on the SCO Development Bank, four new security centers, and cooperation in energy, capacity building, and the green and digital economies. Although the tangible outcomes remain limited, this week allowed China to assert global leadership, manage its partnership with Russia, and signal a multipolar world beyond traditional US-led frameworks. For a more in-depth analysis, read the full analysis by Stimson Center.