President Vladimir Putin landed in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on Sunday to attend a summit hosted by counterpart Xi Jinping with around 20 other world leaders.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit is being held in the port city until Monday, days before a massive military parade in the capital Beijing to mark 80 years since the end of World War II on Wednesday.

The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or "dialogue partners".

Russian and Chinese state media reported at around 9.30 am (0130 GMT) on Sunday that Putin had touched down in Tianjin.

China and Russia have sometimes touted the SCO as an alternative to the NATO military alliance.

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