By Jethro Mullen
As the G7 summit ended with deep divisions over trade, another meeting of global powers was going a lot more smoothly.
President
Donald Trump refused to endorse a joint communique with America’s
closest allies as the Quebec summit ended in chaos, in stark contrast to
the carefully choreographed meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) in China.
Donald Trump refused to endorse a joint communique with America’s
closest allies as the Quebec summit ended in chaos, in stark contrast to
the carefully choreographed meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) in China.
While Trump clashed
over tariffs with other G7 leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau, China orchestrated an agreed statement on trade and security
between the countries attending its summit in the city of Qingdao.
over tariffs with other G7 leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau, China orchestrated an agreed statement on trade and security
between the countries attending its summit in the city of Qingdao.
The
language of the statement, which “stressed the importance of …
consistently strengthening and developing the multilateral trade
system,” echoed recent talking points of Chinese President Xi Jinping,
who has sought to cast himself as the defender of global free trade.
language of the statement, which “stressed the importance of …
consistently strengthening and developing the multilateral trade
system,” echoed recent talking points of Chinese President Xi Jinping,
who has sought to cast himself as the defender of global free trade.
Many
experts question his credentials for that role, given China’s own trade
practices. But Trump’s recent barrage of tariff announcements and
attacks on the World Trade Organization give Beijing plenty of
opportunities to position itself as a power that is committed to working
with others to address global challenges.
experts question his credentials for that role, given China’s own trade
practices. But Trump’s recent barrage of tariff announcements and
attacks on the World Trade Organization give Beijing plenty of
opportunities to position itself as a power that is committed to working
with others to address global challenges.
Xi, Modi and Putin
Chinese
state media seized the chance to contrast the G7 with the SCO summit,
which was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian
President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of several other Asian
countries.
state media seized the chance to contrast the G7 with the SCO summit,
which was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian
President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of several other Asian
countries.
Related: Forget the G7, China’s summit is where the economic growth is
“Against
the backdrop of rising unilateralism and anti-globalization, the SCO’s
opposition to trade protectionism in any form is especially
encouraging,” state-run newspaper China Daily said in an editorial
published in English.
the backdrop of rising unilateralism and anti-globalization, the SCO’s
opposition to trade protectionism in any form is especially
encouraging,” state-run newspaper China Daily said in an editorial
published in English.
Another state-run media
outlet, People’s Daily, posted a tweet comparing photos of leaders at
the two summits. The G7 picture showed a seemingly tense moment between
European leaders and Trump, while the SCO image showed a group led by a
smiling Xi and Putin.
outlet, People’s Daily, posted a tweet comparing photos of leaders at
the two summits. The G7 picture showed a seemingly tense moment between
European leaders and Trump, while the SCO image showed a group led by a
smiling Xi and Putin.
The
SCO includes the world’s two fastest growing major economies. China
alone is expected to contribute around 30% of the total increase in
global GDP over the next decade, with India accounting for another 10%,
according to IHS Markit.
SCO includes the world’s two fastest growing major economies. China
alone is expected to contribute around 30% of the total increase in
global GDP over the next decade, with India accounting for another 10%,
according to IHS Markit.
But analysts say the Chinese summit is more about pomp than real policy.
“It
is highly superficial and has never resulted in any significant
cooperation between its members on security, economic, or political
issues,” said Scott Kennedy, an expert on the Chinese economy at the
Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington.
is highly superficial and has never resulted in any significant
cooperation between its members on security, economic, or political
issues,” said Scott Kennedy, an expert on the Chinese economy at the
Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington.
Belt and Road divisions
The
surface unity of the event masks divisions between its members, notably
on China’s Belt and Road initiative, an ambitious plan to pump hundreds
of billions of dollars into ports, rail lines and other projects across
Asia, Africa and parts of Europe.
surface unity of the event masks divisions between its members, notably
on China’s Belt and Road initiative, an ambitious plan to pump hundreds
of billions of dollars into ports, rail lines and other projects across
Asia, Africa and parts of Europe.
Related: How did China end up posing as the defender of global trade?
India
is unhappy about the partnership China is developing with Pakistan
through the initiative. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key
component of Belt and Road, passes through the disputed region of
Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim in its entirety.
is unhappy about the partnership China is developing with Pakistan
through the initiative. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key
component of Belt and Road, passes through the disputed region of
Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim in its entirety.
In the official statement Sunday on the outcome of the SCO summit, India was absent from the list of countries affirming support for the Chinese initiative.
The
SCO started out in 2001 as a forum to resolve border disputes in
Central Asia, but has since expanded to include more countries and cover
other issues like trade. It has eight permanent members: China, Russia,
India, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries. Four more countries,
including Iran, have observer status.
SCO started out in 2001 as a forum to resolve border disputes in
Central Asia, but has since expanded to include more countries and cover
other issues like trade. It has eight permanent members: China, Russia,
India, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries. Four more countries,
including Iran, have observer status.
But critics say that as the organization grows, it becomes even more unwieldy and less likely to achieve tangible results.
“No
one in Washington or other Western capitals is terribly worried about
the SCO being a shadow G7 or source of a genuine counter-narrative to
the liberal international order,” Kennedy said.
one in Washington or other Western capitals is terribly worried about
the SCO being a shadow G7 or source of a genuine counter-narrative to
the liberal international order,” Kennedy said.
