Astana Summit: What Putin and Xi Jinping had a Chance to Discuss

In Astana starts Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. One of its main themes is expansion. Two more nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, will become full members of the SCO. Russia is represented by Vladimir Putin, who tomorrow, along with other leaders, will take part in the opening of the international exhibition EXPO-2017. The Russian President met with the President of China. What did the politicians talk about, what do the SCO members plan to agree on, and why is this association already called the new "Big 8," Alexander Balitsky, from Astana, will tell us. The World Expo has not opened yet, but the Russian pavilion can already be seen and heard. When the theme of the exhibition is "energy of the future," there is also a special Russian energy. There's no folk art like this anywhere in the world. The Russian pavilion is not only one of the largest, but also the coolest, which, in the Astana heat, is one more reason to take a look inside. Especially since here, in the very center of the Russian exposition, is a huge ice block. Real 4 meter Arctic ice, that was especially brought directly from the North Pole. And here you can even touch it and leave your trace in the history of EXPO-2017. The iceberg is not just for show: a demonstration of the capabilities of the Russian nuclear fleet. On the screen, the projection of the new icebreaker Leader, that can split even thicker ice, and in any weather. But today in Astana the geopolitical climate is on the agenda. The President of Kazakhstan especially scheduled the opening of the EXPO, during the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. To this, without exaggeration, historic meeting, the attention of the whole world is riveted. After all, it's about creating a new Eurasian Big 8. In addition to 6 member countries, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan are finally joining. And together this is almost half of the world's population and a quarter of the world's GDP. Officially, it will happen tomorrow, and today Vladimir Putin is meeting with the Head of China. On the one side of the table is an impressive Russian delegation. On the other, Mr. Xi by himself. The Ministers accompanying him were late. One warrior. In fact, the leaders met just three weeks ago, in Beijing, at the Belt and Road Forum, where the Russian President announced that the unification of the potentials of the SCO, the EAEU and the Silk Road is the basis for the formation of a large Eurasian partnership. Today, the conversation is no less detailed, because Russia and China have a key role in the SCO. And bilateral relations are also on the rise. We are now preparing the main events in bilateral relations, this is your official visit to Russia, I am confident that this will be a significant event, a great event in bilateral relations, but, of course, according to our traditions, we use every opportunity to meet, talk about our bilateral relations, and about the international agenda. I am very pleased with this opportunity. Today, the China-Russia relations are at a high level, and have a strategic character. Against the background of a complex international situation, our interaction, and mutual support are of great importance for the world on a global scale. The discussion is about the trade growth, and also about the Power of Siberia gas pipeline construction, which is ahead of schedule, and, of course, the confrontation with global challenges, the fight against terrorism, after all, according to the results of the SCO summit, 11 documents are planned to be signed. Including conventions on countering extremism. But this evening, there is a big concert at the Astana Opera, it's a tradition. And, of course, informal contact. Significantly adding to both economic and political areas, the Shanghai organization did not lose the main point, friendly and partner-like relations.