The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

[phkrause]

SCO summit could challenge US dominance and lend weight to China’s vision of a multipolar world  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. Read more.

Why this matters: 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.   Since its 2001 founding, the SCO has been dominated by China, the regional economic superpower, with Russia seeking to use the group to maintain its influence over former Central Asian Soviet republics Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.   Both Russia and China have used the alliance as a framework for regional military cooperation, albeit limited to joint drills and firing competitions. Belarus, Iran, Pakistan and India joined later in an apparent attempt to share in the SCO’s budding influence.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Xi and Putin reaffirm ‘old friend’ ties in the face of US challenges   Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports   Russia is suspected of jamming navigation on EU leader’s plane above Bulgaria, official says

[phkrause]

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un arrives in Beijing for military parade alongside Putin and Xi

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing by train on Tuesday to attend a military parade with his Chinese and Russian counterparts, an event that observers say could potentially demonstrate three-way unity against the United States.

https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-china-xi-putin-parade-9b47625f8f6c1e0c0391de9fae848e11?

China

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood together publicly for the first time today and projected an image of unity and authoritarian strength. More than 20 world leaders also attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was designed to demonstrate China’s leadership and put forth a less Western-centric vision of international order. While President Trump alarms nations with his trade war, withdrawals from international organizations, massive foreign aid cuts and threats on social media, Xi vowed to oppose “hegemonism” and “bullying practices” — without naming the US directly. To highlight China as “a credible alternative” to the US as the world’s top superpower, Xi promoted his partnerships with North Korea, Russia and Iran. And during a military parade in Tiananmen Square — one that featured over 10,000 troops marching in unison and a display of hundreds of advanced weapons — Xi declared China’s rise was “unstoppable.”

[phkrause]

Dictator's guide to immortality

Check out this hot mic exchange between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin (both age 72) at this morning's military parade in Beijing:

Xi: "In the past, people rarely lived longer than 70 years. But today they say at 70 you are still a child."

Putin (via translator): "Biotechnology is continuously developing. ... Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and even achieve immortality."

Xi: "Some predict that in this century, humans may live up to 150 years old."

? Between the lines: Xi has been in power for 12 years, and Putin for 25. But if 70 is the new 20, retirement might be a long way off.

An AJX002 underwater drone at the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP via Getty

? The parade was also an impressive display of Chinese military might, featuring:

• At least five varieties of nuclear-capable missiles, including a new ICBM.
• New hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
• Seven types of aerial drones and a giant new undersea drone.

More on the hardware.

[Asia Joe]

On 9/4/2025 at 9:07 AM, phkrause said:

Xi: "In the past, people rarely lived longer than 70 years. But today they say at 70 you are still a child."

Putin (via translator): "Biotechnology is continuously developing. ... Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and even achieve immortality."

Xi: "Some predict that in this century, humans may live up to 150 years old."

I was thinking about this the other day. People with money can live much longer.  Pres Jimmy Carted lived to be 100, Henry Kissinger lived to be 100.  There are secret drugs and things you can take today to let you live longer.  Stem cells, blood transfusions, Mitochondria boosting products. 

 

[phkrause]

Kim Jong Un’s trip to China marks transformation from shunned pariah to confident diplomat

Kim Jong Un put on a command performance this week at a gathering of some two dozen world leaders in China, striding with confidence and a broad grin across one of the biggest international stages of his 14-year career as North Korea’s leader. As Kim returns home Friday, his time in Beijing marks a stunning transformation from his first tentative, violent years in power, when some analysts suggested the inexperienced young leader would struggle to survive threats to his rule. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

China’s Xi and North Korea’s Kim pledge deeper ties during meeting in Beijing A look at the world leaders at China’s military parade in a show of solidarity with Beijing