Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on the 31st to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the 80th anniversary commemoration of China's 'Victory Day'.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported that President Putin arrived in Tianjin, where the SCO summit is being held, by air on the morning of the same day. This marks President Putin's visit to China after a state visit last May, roughly 1 year and 3 months.
CCTV noted, 'Russia is one of the six founding member states of the SCO, and the two countries have maintained close ties within the SCO framework.' It assessed that 'under the strategic leadership of the two countries' leaders, the bilateral relationship is at its best in history.'
The SCO is a multilateral consultative body created by China and Russia in 2001 along with four Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, there are 10 member countries. China claims that this SCO summit is the 'largest ever'.
The upcoming SCO meeting will be attended by more than 20 leaders from various countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as 10 representatives from international organizations.
After concluding the SCO summit schedule, President Putin will move to Beijing and is expected to attend the 80th anniversary commemoration parade of Victory Day in front of Tiananmen on the 3rd of next month, alongside Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea.
President Putin's visit to China will be accompanied by a large and significant delegation, including three deputy prime ministers, over 10 Ministers, and representatives from major corporations. CCTV remarked, 'President Putin's participation in these events demonstrates the high level of the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between China and Russia in the new era.'