Putin Arrives in Tianjin for SCO Summit with Xi Jinping: Focus on Multipolarity and Bilateral Talks
Tianjin, China – August 31, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the bustling port city of Tianjin on Sunday, joining a constellation of global leaders for the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions fueled by U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, Putin’s four-day visit—his second to China in 2025—underscores the deepening Russia-China partnership and the summit’s role as a platform for Eurasian powers to advocate for a “multipolar world order.” With over 20 heads of state in attendance, including India’s Narendra Modi, the gathering promises high-stakes discussions on security, trade, and countering Western influence, setting the stage for a subsequent military parade in Beijing that further amplifies the bloc’s unity.
Key Details of Putin’s Arrival and the Summit Agenda
Putin arrived at Tianjin Binhai International Airport around 9:30 a.m. local time, greeted by Chinese officials and a ceremonial escort, as reported by CCTV and Global Times. Accompanied by a high-level delegation—including three deputy prime ministers, over 10 ministers, and representatives from major enterprises—he is scheduled to participate in the summit’s core sessions on August 31 and September 1 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center. This marks the SCO’s largest-ever gathering, with leaders from 10 member states (China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus) and 16 observer/dialogue partners, plus UN Secretary-General António Guterres and heads of nine international organizations.
The agenda emphasizes addressing security challenges, enhancing financial mechanisms, counter-terrorism, and bolstering multilateralism to represent the Global South. Key documents under review include the “Tianjin Declaration” and a “SCO Development Strategy for the Next Ten Years.” Xi will chair the proceedings and deliver keynote speeches, announcing new measures to support the organization. Bilateral meetings are a highlight: Putin is set to hold talks with Xi on September 2, focusing on economic cooperation amid falling Russia-China trade volumes. He will also meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the Ukraine conflict and Black Sea stability, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tehran’s nuclear program, especially after recent Western moves to reimpose UN sanctions.
Preparations in Tianjin have been extensive, including renovations to the venue, stormwater upgrades, and the Haihe River Nightscape Enhancement Project illuminating 217 buildings and 8.2 km of shoreline. The summit’s logo, unveiled in January 2025, symbolizes unity and progress.
Quotes from Leaders and Analysts
In a pre-summit interview with Xinhua, Putin praised the SCO as a force for “shaping a multipolar world order” through equal cooperation and respect for national uniqueness, adding that it strengthens members’ ability to tackle global threats. He highlighted the organization’s appeal in promoting solidarity without targeting third parties.
Xi Jinping, welcoming arrivals, reiterated the SCO’s commitment to openness and mutual respect, stating in July 2024 remarks (echoed for this summit) that “no mountain or ocean can distance people who have shared aspirations.” Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin described the event as “one of China’s most important head-of-state and home-court diplomatic events this year,” emphasizing Xi’s role in announcing supportive measures for the bloc.
Analysts provided deeper insights. Yun Sun of the Stimson Center noted, “For this particular summit, the US may not be at the table, but the US is always present,” pointing to Trump’s tariffs as a dominant topic. Sushant Singh from Yale University predicted, “The one thing that they’re going to talk about is the United States, its policies, its tariffs.” Eric Olander of The China-Global South Project observed that Xi aims to “showcase what a post-American-led international order begins to look like.” Lizzi Lee from the Asia Society Policy Institute added that Beijing uses the SCO to “project influence and signal that Eurasia has its own institutions and rules of the game.”
Background: The SCO’s Evolution and Geopolitical Context
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as a regional security forum, the SCO has expanded significantly, now representing 42% of the world’s population and 25% of global GDP. Its focus has broadened from counter-terrorism to economic, energy, and military cooperation, often positioned as a counterweight to Western alliances like NATO and the G7. China assumed the rotating presidency in July 2024, hosting over 110 events leading up to Tianjin, including the SCO Digital Economy Forum and Business Forum.
Putin’s visit follows his May 2025 state trip to China and aligns with the “no-limits” partnership declared in 2022, deepened by Russia’s isolation over Ukraine. Bilateral trade hit record highs but is now declining, prompting efforts to reverse the trend. The summit occurs against U.S. tariffs—up to 50% on Indian exports and similar pressures on China—straining relations with Washington and pushing members toward closer ties. India’s participation, including Modi’s first China visit in seven years, signals a thaw after the 2020 Galwan clash, though New Delhi maintains balance with the West via the Quad.
The event’s timing, just before a September 3 military parade in Beijing commemorating WWII’s end in Asia (with Putin as Xi’s “main guest” alongside North Korea’s Kim Jong Un), amplifies its symbolic weight, showcasing unity among autocrats and emerging powers.
Potential Impacts and Next Steps
The summit could yield incremental advances, such as further troop disengagements along the India-China border, eased trade restrictions, and enhanced climate cooperation, potentially stabilizing Eurasian dynamics. For Russia, it bolsters diplomatic legitimacy and economic lifelines amid sanctions; for China, it reinforces leadership in the Global South. Discussions on Iran’s nuclear issues and Ukraine may influence UN votes, while tariff responses could accelerate de-dollarization efforts.
Following the summit, Putin will attend the Beijing parade on September 3, extending his stay until then. Modi is slated to meet Putin on September 1, possibly including trilateral talks with Xi. Outcomes like the Tianjin Declaration may guide SCO’s 10-year strategy, with follow-up on border pacts and economic dialogues. Analysts warn that internal rivalries—e.g., India-Pakistan tensions—may limit breakthroughs, but the gathering positions the bloc as a viable alternative to Western forums.
In conclusion, Putin’s Tianjin visit for the SCO Summit with Xi Jinping highlights a strategic alignment amid U.S. disruptions, fostering multipolar ambitions through dialogue and solidarity. The key takeaway? In an era of trade wars and shifting alliances, forums like the SCO offer emerging powers a vital space to assert influence and build resilience, reminding global observers of Eurasia’s growing geopolitical clout.