In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in the middle, greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, right, as he arrives in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Li Xueren / AP
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Li Xueren / AP
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in the center, greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, right, as he arrives in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Li Xueren / AP
BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russia’s Putin and leaders from India and Central Asian nations arrived in Uzbekistan on Thursday for the summit of a security group led by Beijing and Moscow. established as a counterweight to American influence.
The meeting of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization comes at a time when Putin is isolated abroad following the invasion of Ukraine. Beijing’s relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India are strained over disputes over technology, security and territory.
The event in the ancient kingdom of Samarkand is part of Xi’s first overseas trip since the coronavirus pandemic broke out two and a half years ago, underscoring Beijing’s desire to assert itself as a power in the region.
China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi was greeted at Samarkand airport by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The musicians played a performance on karnays, a traditional wind instrument resembling a long trumpet.
According to the Russian President’s foreign affairs adviser, Putin and Xi will meet face-to-face and discuss Ukraine.
According to his government, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to arrive on Thursday, although there is no indication as to whether he will be able to meet privately with Xi or Putin.
China-India relations have been strained by clashes between soldiers from both sides in a border dispute in a remote Himalayan region.
Other SCO governments include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Observers include Iran and Afghanistan.
The Chinese leader is pushing for a “Global Security Initiative” announced in April after Washington, Japan, Australia and India formed the Quartet in response to a more assertive foreign policy. of Beijing. Mr. Xi gave some details, but US officials complained it echoed Russian arguments in favor of Moscow’s attack on Ukraine.
The area is part of China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure on an arc of goods. dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
China’s economic incursion into Central Asia has caused insecurity in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Kazakhstan and its neighbors are trying to attract Chinese investment without offending Moscow.
Xi made a one-day visit on Wednesday to Kazakhstan en route to Uzbekistan.
Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan at the same time as Xi, but they did not meet.
