Regarding the significance of the meeting of non-Western world leaders in China, Andrei Yashlavsky wrote in “Moskovsky Komsomolets”:

“Xi and Putin stand united with China’s pursuit of world leadership,” CNN titled its report from Tianjin, China, where the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is being held.

The close personal relationship between the two leaders was especially evident Sunday evening when Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted a welcome banquet for the heads of state participating in the summit, according to CNN.

It is noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit represents the first opportunity for a meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders since Putin’s meeting with Trump in Alaska earlier last month, and it comes at a time when Putin is resisting Western pressure to end his “attack on Ukraine,” according to CNN.

Observers say Xi sees the summit and the massive military parade to be held on Wednesday in Beijing, expected to be attended by Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and about twenty other leaders, as a diplomatic move at a timely moment. While Trump frightens the world with his global trade war, withdraws from international organizations, and cuts foreign aid, Beijing sees the United States undermining the international order that China has worked hard to establish, viewing this as an opportunity to expand its vision as an alternative that could take world leadership.