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Asian leaders gather amid China’s efforts to expand influence
The summit brings together 10 members and 15 dialogue partners as leaders seek closer economic and security cooperation beyond Western institutions.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Central Asia for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Group summit, marking 25 years of the regional bloc.
The regional group represents 40 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of global GDP, with 10 core members and 15 "dialogue partners" including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
This summit occurs four-and-a-half years into Moscow's Ukraine invasion and six months into the war between Washington and Tehran, as participants promote a multipolar world against Western influence.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian faces "economic difficulties" as the region confronts sanctions, though expert Mohammad Hassan Najmi told AFP that Tehran believes participation helps circumvent Western restrictions.
China, a major importer of Iranian oil, responded by saying it will "firmly defend" its interests, while the SCO claims it is "not an alliance directed against other states.