Chinese President Xi Jinping has emerged as a focal point on the world stage following a week of high-profile diplomacy and grand displays of military might. The events, held around the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin and a massive military parade in Beijing marking 80 years since World War II’s end, projected Xi’s vision of a new world order with China at its core.
Since Saturday, Xi met nearly 30 world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi, India’s Narendra Modi, and officials from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa. The optics of Xi flanked by Putin and Kim, watching long-range missiles, underwater drones, and enormous lasers, sent a clear message of defiance. “Beijing will not be afraid to stand by its friends… literally,” noted Australian National University expert Wen-Ti Sung.
The SCO meetings further highlighted China’s role as a platform for nations seeking an alternative to Washington’s influence. Declarations supporting Gaza and opposing European sanctions on Iran underscored the organization’s growing political significance. Notably, major Western powers were absent from both events, with Slovakia’s Robert Fico the only EU leader present.
China’s recent diplomacy has capitalized on a shift in global alignments, as even traditional US allies like India, Turkey, and Vietnam engaged more closely with Beijing. Modi’s first visit to China since 2018, marked by cordial interactions with Xi and Putin, underscores the thawing of Sino-Indian tensions amidst Trump-era tariffs. Analysts say Xi’s strategic gains include strengthening ties with Asian trading partners and demonstrating that China has “options apart from the West.”
Yet the parade carried potential reputational risks. American University’s Joseph Torigian highlighted the delicate balance of “smiling and snarling” in diplomacy, while Stimson Center’s Yun Sun questioned the choice of guests as a true representation of global support. Regional observers may view the military display with caution given China’s territorial disputes.
Ultimately, the events solidify China’s message of a multipolar world led by the Global South. While the parade may reinforce alliances for some, it could also harden resistance among those wary of Beijing’s expanding influence. For Xi, the week has been both a diplomatic triumph and a high-stakes test of China’s global ambitions.
