SCO summit could challenge US dominance and lend weight to China's vision of a multipolar world

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The leaders of Russia, China, India and seven other nations met Monday in northern China for the latest annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in what could be an emerging challenge to America’s global leadership.

The 10-member SCO, which gathered in the port city of Tianjin, has grown in size and influence since its founding 24 years ago, even while its goals and programs remain murky and name recognition low.

The full membership also includes Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Originally seen as a foil to U.S. influence in Central Asia, the organization expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

Some of those are clear foes of the West, especially Iran and close Russian ally Belarus. Others including India, China and Russia have a more nebulous relationship, given Washington’s wobbly stance on Russia’s war with Ukraine and the U.S. tariffs that have upended trading relationships with countries such as China and India.

https://apnews.com/article/shanghai-cooperation-organization-china-us-asia-rivalry-37d58d94f70814c8e7a23721997abc2b