Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Tianjin on Sunday for a rare four-day visit, receiving a red carpet welcome from senior Chinese officials at the northern port city’s airport.
The visit comes as Putin joins Chinese President Xi Jinping and nearly 20 world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, which will focus on regional security, trade, and global cooperation.
China and Russia described their relationship as the “best in history,” highlighting its maturity, stability, and strategic importance as both nations push back against Western influence in international affairs.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded in 2001 by six Eurasian states, has now expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue partners, broadening its role from counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation.
Xi is expected to use the summit to present a vision of a post-American-led global order, while simultaneously giving Russia strong diplomatic backing amid Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict.
Leaders from Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia will also attend, with China promoting the event as a united platform for the “Global South” in global decision-making.