At a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted his vision for a new global order centered on the “Global South,” directly challenging U.S. influence. Xi called for resistance to “hegemonism and power politics,” a pointed reference to U.S. trade and foreign policies, and urged participating nations to embrace “true multilateralism.” Stressing that global governance had reached a “new crossroads,” Xi sought to position China as a leader in shaping the future balance of power.

The summit brought together over 20 leaders from non-Western nations, highlighted by the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Images of the three leaders walking hand-in-hand and sharing laughter projected an intentional display of solidarity, signaling closer ties between the three powers. Observers noted that whether carefully staged or not, the moment underscored an emerging front of cooperation among China, Russia, and India, raising questions about how this partnership could reshape international politics in the years ahead.

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SOURCE: Reuters