China’s Xi pledges deeper backing for Russia in meeting Lavrov

Xi Jinping Urges SCO Members to Boost Mutual Support

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov. Xi emphasized the need for deeper cooperation between the two nations on multilateral forums.

Key Points from the Meeting

• Xi called for the Shanghai Cooperation’s 10 members to work together as a counterbalance to Western‑led alliances such as NATO.
• Both leaders pledged to unite global South countries and promote a more just international order.
• Lavrov reported that several high‑level issues were discussed, including preparations for President Vladimir Putin’s forthcoming SCO summit visit and the World War II anniversary celebrations.

Context and Timing

The discussion followed an earlier warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would impose “very severe” tariffs on Moscow’s trade partners if Russia did not resolve the Ukraine war within 50 days. China publicly opposed U.S. “coercion,” stating that unilateral sanctions would not solve the conflict.

Additional SCO Dialogue

• Lavrov met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday to discuss Ukraine and U.S. relations.
• Lavrov arrived in China after a visit to North Korea, where he received assurances of support in its conflict with Ukraine.
• Xi highlighted that “political mutual trust among member states has deepened,” as reported by state broadcaster CCTV.

SCO’s Vision for Regional Cooperation

Xi concluded that the SCO has “successfully explored a path of regional cooperation that aligns with the trends of the times and meets the needs of all parties, setting a model for a new type of international relations.”