New Delhi: Eight countries that stood in the stands for Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ ceremony last week had marched in China’s military parade in September, in a rare overlap that underlines the shift taking place in Asia.
These eight nations include Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Indonesia, even as the traditional US allies, such as European nations and Canada, remained hesitant to join.
This select group of eight nations is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a global infrastructure and economic development initiative of China.
They attended China’s military parade on 3 September commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
US President Trump’s initiative to establish world peace and conflict resolution through his “board of peace” was finally established in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
The presence of the same group of countries at both Trump’s ceremony and China’s military parade highlights how these nations are engaging with both Washington and Beijing, reflecting a broader shift in Asia’s diplomatic alignments.
Why it matters to the US
For the US, these countries are located in regions where Washington wants to check and balance China’s growing influence. America sees them as strategic partners that can help shape regional politics and security.
By strengthening ties with these countries, Washington hopes to prevent Beijing from becoming the dominant power across large parts of Asia.
Turkey remains a major strategic partner for the US as it remains a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Its geographic position between Europe, the Middle East makes it especially valuable for Western security planning.
Pakistan and Indonesia are significant, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which Washington views as central to its future strategy. Both countries have large populations and strong regional influence, making them important partners in maintaining balance in Asia.
In Central Asia, the US is reaching out to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as alternatives to China and Russia, offering them more diplomatic and economic choices.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join Trump’s peace group. Even Chinese President Xi Jinping was also invited to join the Board, but Beijing declined the invitation in affirmation to UN’s mandate to maintain world peace.
Why it matters to China
For China, these eight countries hold major strategic importance, as they are key partners for expanding influence across Asia and beyond. Their location and economic potential make them valuable for Beijing’s foreign and security policy.
Many of these countries sit along the main routes of the BRI, China’s flagship infrastructure programme that aims to connect Asia with Europe and Africa through land and sea corridors.
These countries serve as important transit points for trade, energy supplies, and transportation networks. Their cooperation helps China secure smoother access to global markets and resources.
Beijing has poured large amounts of investment into these countries, especially in sectors such as roads, ports, and energy. Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Indonesia have received major Chinese funding for highways, power plants, and port facilities.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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