China's SCO Summit and Military Parade Project Unity — and Rivalry With the West

Beijing seen investing more in its strategic link with Russia, other non-Western powers

- Michelle Ng

BEIJING — On Aug 31, more than 20 world leaders will gather in China for a regional security summit in a tightly choreographed display of Beijing's convening power and Global South solidarity, amid sharpened rivalry with the US.

Three days later, on Sept 3, China will stage a grand military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square featuring its latest and most advanced weaponry to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

All eyes will be on how China uses the back-to-back high-key events to pitch a multipolar, less US-centric international order while notching diplomatic wins to add to its great power credentials, said analysts.

Dr Alexander Korolev, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, said Beijing's main diplomatic goal in the coming days is to "consolidate its existing partnerships with the countries representing the so-called non-West".

"In the face of an intensifying US-China rivalry, Beijing is investing more energy in its strategic partnership with Russia and other non-Western powers," said Dr Korolev, who researches China-Russia-US relations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the political heavyweights attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the northern port city of Tianjin from Aug 31 to Sept 1.

Key leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and South-east Asia, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, are also attending the summit. Among confirmed attendees are also UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

After the SCO summit, Mr Putin will stay on to attend the parade, while Mr Modi will depart China. Bilateral meetings are also likely to be held on the sidelines of the summit and before the parade.