Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived by plane in Tianjin on August 31. He was met by a military honor guard that even included the Russian and Chinese flags flying together at the Tianjin Airport. Before leaving the plane, a red carpet was unfolded leading to his vehicle, which was a special Russian limousine. When arriving at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit venue, he was greeted personally by President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The two Presidents also exchanged a few words through an interpreter. Coming into the meeting hall, the Chinese orchestra struck up the popular Russian song, “Kalinka.” Although written in 1860, since World War II, the tune has been popularized by the Alexandrov Military Chorus.
Putin then attended the SCO Gala Dinner, where the participating world leaders greeted each other. There were over 20 heads of state and government in attendance. Putin also had a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which was also attended by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. “It was a very good conversation, a long one. They talked face to face,” said Kremlin Presidential press spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Putin also had a chance to exchange a few words with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and they agreed to hold a bilateral meeting as well.
