China hosted a series of high-profile gatherings this week that brought together world leaders, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Narendra Modi. From the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the events highlighted shifting alliances and sent a symbolic message to the United States and its partners.
Xi, Putin, and Kim stood side by side as thousands of troops and advanced military hardware paraded through Beijing’s streets. Just two days earlier, Modi joined Xi and Putin at the SCO summit in Tianjin, where the leaders emphasized multipolar cooperation against the backdrop of growing U.S. trade friction and tariffs under President Donald Trump.
Trump acknowledged the optics, posting online that the trio was “conspiring against the United States of America.”
Each Leader’s Agenda
- Xi Jinping seeks to project China as the leader of an alternative world order, securing energy supplies from Russia while maintaining influence over North Korea.
- Vladimir Putin aims to ease Russia’s isolation under Western sanctions, showcasing his relevance on the world stage with support from Beijing, Pyongyang, and New Delhi.
- Kim Jong Un, attending his first multilateral summit since taking power, looks for legitimacy, financial backing, and deeper security ties with Moscow and Beijing.
- Narendra Modi is navigating a complex balance: engaging China and Russia while managing strained trade talks and tariffs imposed by Washington.
Analysts say the parade and summit underscore Beijing’s push to rally countries dissatisfied with the U.S.-led order. “The Washington Consensus has unraveled, and Xi is rallying support for an alternative,” said Jeff Kingston of Temple University Japan.
Still, experts caution against overstating the unity of this bloc. China remains wary of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, while India continues to hedge between the West and regional powers.
Putin’s presence in Beijing highlights Russia’s reliance on Chinese trade and dual-use technologies to sustain its economy and war effort. Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, has supplied troops and weapons to Moscow, framing it as a “brotherly obligation.” His embrace by Xi and Putin marks a dramatic shift from the years of UN sanctions that left Pyongyang isolated.
Modi’s first visit to China since the deadly 2020 border clashes signals cautious engagement, though distrust remains. India has resisted U.S. pressure over Russian oil imports, even as trade talks with Washington have stalled. Analysts say New Delhi prefers to “walk the tightrope”—strengthening ties with the U.S., maintaining links with Russia, and managing relations with China.
The spectacle in Beijing may reflect more political theater than solid alliance-building. Yet it highlights a broader realignment: as Washington retreats from traditional leadership roles, Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang are seizing the chance to expand their influence—forcing India, Europe, and others to navigate a new, uncertain balance of power.
