They came, they shook hands, they smiled for the photographers . . . they even signed a preliminary agreement to build a “Siberia-2” gas pipeline together. It was a two-day photo op designed to showcase the burgeoning friendship between Russia and China.

All told, there were some 20 world leaders at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China this week, notably including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . . . much to the chagrin of Donald Trump, who sat sulking in Washington while Modi — the target of Trump’s 50% tariffs — met and dined with America’s most bitter adversaries.

Xi and Modi also met separately on Sunday, where Xi spoke of the “fluid and chaotic” international situation in today’s world:

“It is the right choice for both sides [China and India] to be friends who have good neighborly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant dance together” . . . referring to traditional symbols of their respective countries. [Simone McCarthy Nectar Gan and Rhea Mogul, CNN, August 31, 2025.]

And Xi continued, “As long as they adhere to the overall direction of being partners rather than rivals … China-India relations can maintain stability and move forward over the long run.”[Id.]

Modi responded that India was “committed” to carrying relations forward “on the basis of mutual trust and respect” . . . even mentioning an easing of tensions along the disputed Himalayan border. [Id.]

*. *. *

But wait . . . there was more.

After the two-day summit, some attendees went home, some stayed, and others arrived for the spectacular climax of Xi’s really big show on September 3rd: the military parade in Beijing’s expansive Tiananmen Square. And among the most honored guests at this event was — for the first time ever — North Korean President Kim Jong Un.

The optics were unmistakable: a display of solidarity among the “big three” for the Western nations to digest.

And in another side meeting, Putin and Kim sat down together. Referring to the thousands of North Korean soldiers who have already fought for Russia in Ukraine, Putin said:

“I would like to note that your soldiers fought courageously and heroically” . . . to which Kim replied, “If there is any way that we can support Russia, we will always do it. We consider it our brotherly duty.” [Reid Standish, RFE/RL, September 3, 2025.]

Later, Putin invited Kim to visit Moscow. Of course, he had also extended the same invitation to Donald Trump in Alaska.

*. *. *

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Trump had said on Tuesday, the day before the parade, that he was not concerned about the SCO summit or the military display:

“I have a very good relationship with President Xi, as you know. But China needs us much more than we need them.” [Bloomberg, September 3, 2025.]

Following the festivities on Wednesday, however, he offered these petulant remarks:

“I watched the speech last night. President Xi is a friend of mine, but I thought that the United States should have been mentioned last night during that speech, because we helped China very, very much.” [Id.]

And he posted this bit of sarcasm, addressed to Xi, on his Truth Social site:

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” [Id.]

Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov —who was with Putin in Beijing — was asked for a response to Trump’s comments. In a video circulated by a Kremlin pool reporter, he made this statement:

“Let’s hope this was meant in some figurative sense, not a literal one, especially since nobody is hatching any conspiracies.” [Id.}

If we’re keeping score, I’d have to say — in the diplomacy department alone — it’s Peskov-1, Trump-0.

*. *. *

Well, was it a hit or a flop? Based on what the public was shown — and obviously we don’t know everything that took place behind the scenes — it appears to have been a pretty good time for the participants. No major announcements were made, but it did offer evidence of a significant alliance being formed in opposition to the U.S. and European powers. In that sense, for Xi Jinping, it seems to have been worth the effort.

Xi also gained his objective of demonstrating to the world the strength of China’s military forces.

Narendra Modi gained a place at the big boys’ table.

Vladimir Putin walked away with a potential deal with China for a new Siberian gas pipeline, and the promise from North Korea of further support for his ongoing massacre in Ukraine.

And Kim Jong Un finally broke out of isolation and joined the A-team.

On the other hand, Donald Trump . . . well . . . you know how he is when the party isn’t for him.

As for us — the viewing public — we had a temporary distraction from wars, earthquakes, landslides, imaginary crime waves, very real immigrant round-ups, Jeffrey Epstein files . . . the everyday stuff of today’s world. And any respite from that is a very good thing.

*. *. *

And so we leave the land of the Great Wall and the Giant Pandas for now, and await the next chapter of “As the World Flip-Flops.”

Have a great day, everyone.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/4/25