Russian leader Putin embarks on extended journey to China

Russian leader Putin travels to China for an extended stay - Russian President Putin sets foot in China for a prolonged series of meetings

China is set to host two significant events this week: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and a grand military parade in Beijing. The SCO summit, taking place on Sunday and Monday, is the largest since its founding in 2001, with Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan among the expected attendees.

The SCO, comprising China, Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and four Central Asian states, is not a direct party in the Ukraine conflict. It's worth noting that Ukraine is not a member of the SCO, and the upcoming summit is not expected to include Ukraine.

Amidst accusations from Ukraine that China is supporting Russia with drones in the ongoing conflict, China maintains neutrality and stresses its support for all efforts towards peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, China will host a military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. Apart from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to attend, 25 other heads of state and government are scheduled to be present, including North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.

The SCO is not involved in the Ukraine conflict, and China's role in the region is not clear-cut. However, China and Russia use the SCO to strengthen their relations with Central Asian states and establish a counterbalance to Western alliances like NATO.

It's important to note that the location of the SCO summit is not specified, while the military parade will take place in Beijing. Tianjin is not mentioned in the given context.

As for the Kremlin, it is not mentioned as a location in the given context. Xi Jinping, the President of the People's Republic of China, is the host for the SCO summit, although he is not explicitly mentioned as attending.

Ukraine accuses China of not contributing to the cessation of the Russian invasion. However, China's stance on the matter remains neutral, emphasizing its support for peace between Russia and Ukraine.

In conclusion, China hosts the SCO summit and a military parade this week, with global leaders gathering to discuss regional issues and commemorate historical events. The SCO's role in the Ukraine conflict remains ambiguous, with China maintaining a neutral stance and focusing on strengthening relationships with its allies.