World Leaders Gather in Bishkek for 25th Anniversary SCO Summit
2 sources across 2 countries · Hong Kong · Pakistan
Who reported this
- South China Morning Post
- Dawn
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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World leaders are gathering in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the bloc. The SCO currently comprises 10 member states, including China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, with Afghanistan and Mongolia serving as observer states.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan is undertaking a three day official visit from August 31 to September 2. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit. He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on August 31 and hold bilateral discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov regarding trade, investment, energy, and regional connectivity. Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026 to 2027 and will host next year's summit in Islamabad.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also in Bishkek for the summit. Analysts suggest the event may provide insight into China's ambitions for a multipolar Asia. According to Chinese government data, trade between China and Central Asia reached a record 106 billion US dollars last year, making Beijing the largest trading partner for the five Central Asian countries combined.
Reporting on the event differs by political lean. A center left source focuses on the diplomatic itinerary and bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. In contrast, a center right source frames the summit through the lens of China's broader Eurasian strategy and its efforts to project power and influence the global order amid competition with the US led West.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- The coverage focuses on the specific diplomatic schedule and the strengthening of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
- Centre-right
- The coverage frames the summit as a strategic move by China to expand its influence in Central Asia and challenge the Western led international order.
Sources
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