RIVALRY
China’s Xi said Moscow and Beijing needed to continue developing relations despite difficult global circumstances.
“In the face of the turbulent international situation and external environment, the two sides should continue to uphold the original aspiration of friendship for generations to come,” Xi told Putin in brief opening remarks.
Despite inking a “no limits” strategic partnership just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing have been rivals for influence in the Central Asian region.
The five countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – are ex-Soviet republics and have historic cultural, linguistic and economic ties to Russia.
But China’s rising economic power and sprawling investment in the region has challenged Russian influence.
Central Asia, key to China’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure project, is rich in natural resources and crucial for the overland transport of goods between China and Europe.
Russia’s war on Ukraine has also been seen as creating an opening for other powers to swoop into regions that have been traditionally aligned with Moscow.
The ultra-closed Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the four other Central Asian states are, alongside India, Iran and Pakistan.
The nine-member bloc is complemented by 14 “dialogue partners”, such as Türkiye and several Gulf states.
