· 3 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: China is leveraging political instability in the United States — particularly under President Trump’s second term — to position itself as a stable counterweight to the U.S.-led global order
• At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping hosted 20 leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, and India’s Narendra Modi, with calls to deepen cooperation and oppose “hegemony and power politics.”
• Xi proposed a new development bank and expanded economic initiatives under the SCO umbrella, reinforcing China’s ambition to lead in a multipolar world
🔭 The context: The SCO was established in 2001 by China and Russia to address Central Asian security concerns but has evolved into a wider geopolitical forum
• Its expansion — now comprising 10 full members and multiple dialogue partners — reflects Beijing and Moscow’s efforts to reshape international norms
• Trump's tariffs and foreign policy unpredictability have alienated key allies, such as India, creating opportunities for China to mend ties and foster strategic convergence among U.S.-wary nations
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The growing prominence of the SCO and similar blocs like BRICS reflects a shift in global governance dynamics, potentially sidelining Western-centric environmental and trade frameworks
• While China promotes infrastructure and economic cooperation under initiatives like Belt and Road, its climate and sustainability commitments within these frameworks remain opaque
• There are risks that divergent national agendas and the absence of binding environmental standards could dilute progress on global sustainability goals
⏭️ What's next: China is expected to build on the summit’s momentum with further diplomatic and economic overtures, especially toward countries facing Western sanctions
• Xi’s endorsement of new memberships and financial pledges suggests plans to institutionalize the SCO’s influence
• India’s careful participation and balancing acts — such as skipping China’s military parade—signal ongoing tensions
• Future meetings will test whether the SCO can move beyond symbolic unity and shape a cohesive alternative to the Western order
💬 One quote: “These are big countries with their own agendas... united in a sense of aggrievement with the U.S. rather than a sense of common purpose.” — Carla Freeman, Director, Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS
📈 One stat: The SCO now represents over 40% of the world’s population and approximately 25% of global GDP, according to Chinese state media
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