China welcomed defence leaders from Iran and Russia on Thursday in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao. The meeting took place during a time of growing global tensions, including unrest in the Middle East and increased military commitments by NATO countries in Europe.
The event was held under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which includes ten member states. China has long supported the SCO as a group that can balance Western-led alliances. The group works together on politics, trade, science, and security.
The timing of the Qingdao meeting was important. It followed a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel after almost two weeks of intense fighting. At the same time, NATO leaders met in The Hague and agreed to raise their defence budgets to meet goals supported by U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the SCO event, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said the world was facing major changes. Speaking in Qingdao, a city known for its large naval base, he called for unity against growing threats. He said unilateral actions and protectionist ideas are increasing. He warned that some powerful countries were trying to control others, which harms global peace. Dong asked the other defence chiefs, including those from Russia, Iran, Belarus, and Pakistan, to act together. He said working as one group is the best way to keep peace and support development in the region.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov shared similar views. He said the world is becoming more dangerous and uncertain. According to the Russian defence ministry, Belousov said global political and military tensions are worsening.
China and Russia have grown closer over the years. While China claims to be neutral in the Ukraine war, Western countries believe that China’s trade and diplomacy have helped Russia. This friendship was clear during the meeting. Both countries showed that they want to build a strong group of like-minded nations. These countries may not always agree with the West, but they want peace and stability in their regions.
Iran’s defence minister also joined the Qingdao meeting. Tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have increased recently. Although China is a close partner of Iran, it chose to stay neutral during the recent conflict.
Experts say that China is not ready to go beyond simple diplomatic support for Iran. James Char, a defence researcher in Singapore, said China is unlikely to take action in support of Iran. He noted that China will offer words, not weapons.
Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer at Exeter University, agreed. He said Iran might want to talk to China about getting arms. However, he does not think China will agree to supply them. This would upset both Israel and the United States. China is currently working to improve its relationship with the U.S., so it wants to avoid more tension.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the Qingdao meeting. He said that SCO members should work together to face today’s global issues. According to his post on social media, Singh said the world is changing quickly. He added that the power of globalisation is fading, and countries need to find new ways to work together.
The SCO has often been seen as a platform for non-Western countries to cooperate on shared goals. These include fighting terrorism, promoting trade, and boosting scientific exchange. The recent defence meeting shows that China wants to give this organisation a bigger voice in world affairs.
The SCO event happened just after a NATO summit in Europe. There, member countries agreed to raise their defence spending. Many see this as a response to recent global conflicts and to demands from the United States for greater contributions.
The meeting in Qingdao may also be China’s way of showing that it, too, can bring countries together. It wants to be seen as a power that promotes peace, even if it doesn’t follow Western policies.
While it avoids taking sides, China is quietly building stronger links with countries that feel isolated or pressured by the West. The Qingdao gathering made it clear: China, along with its allies, wants to shape the future of global security in its own way.