China Hosts SCO Defence Summit Amid Rising Global Tensions and NATO Expansion
Qingdao — China hosted high-level defence talks this week with key members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), welcoming top military officials from Russia, Iran, India, and Pakistan as the group seeks to present itself as a stabilizing force in a rapidly polarizing global security landscape.
Held in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, the SCO defence summit was chaired by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, who called for “fairness, unity, and strategic trust” among regional powers. The meeting came just days after the NATO summit in The Hague, where Western leaders committed to expanded military budgets and deeper Indo-Pacific engagement moves that Beijing has long viewed with suspicion.
Russia Warns of “Mercenary Flood” in Europe
In one of the summit’s most pointed remarks, newly appointed Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov accused the West of escalating the Ukraine conflict through what he termed the “flooding” of the region with weapons and foreign mercenaries.
“The increased militarization of Ukraine by NATO countries is not only prolonging the conflict but destabilizing all of Europe,” Belousov said, warning that continued escalation could have “long-term global consequences.”
Russia’s participation in the summit underscores its pivot toward Asia amid growing isolation in the West, with the SCO providing Moscow a diplomatic and security platform outside of NATO-dominated arenas.
India Pushes Counterterrorism Amid Regional Tensions
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh used the forum to press for stronger counterterrorism coordination, referencing a recent militant attack in Kashmir that left at least 12 soldiers dead. Singh attributed the assault to Pakistan-based groups and urged SCO partners to adopt a “zero-tolerance policy” toward terrorism.
“Terrorism in any form, backed or harbored by state or non-state actors, remains the single most serious threat to peace and stability in our region,” Singh said during his remarks.
The Indian delegation’s firm tone highlighted ongoing tensions with Pakistan, which also attended the summit. While Islamabad did not issue a direct response, its representatives reiterated a call for “cooperative security frameworks” and respect for sovereignty.
China Seeks to Lead Alternative Security Vision
China, the rotating host of the 2025 SCO cycle, used the summit to position the organization as a counterweight to Western-led military alliances, particularly NATO. Minister Dong Jun stressed that the SCO stands for “non-aligned, non-confrontational, and inclusive security cooperation” and pledged to deepen defence ties across member states.
“The world is not governed by one bloc’s rules or interests,” Dong said. “The SCO promotes fairness, multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
Analysts say China is increasingly leveraging the SCO to build a coalition of like-minded powers opposed to what they see as U.S.-dominated global institutions.
SCO’s Expanding Influence
Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation now includes nine full members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. With observer states such as Belarus and dialogue partners like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the SCO’s security footprint continues to grow, particularly in Central Asia.
This year’s summit focused on joint border security drills, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity defense, and preventing regional spillover from Middle Eastern and Eastern European conflicts.
As tensions grow between NATO and non-Western powers, the Qingdao summit marks a renewed effort by China to promote a “multipolar security order” that contrasts with what it describes as Western militarism.
