Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Sunday for a summit and celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.

Putin was greeted by officials in Tianjin as he and leaders of nine other nations were set to meet for the latest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The 10-member group that will gather Sunday and Monday in the port city has grown in size and influence over the past 24 years, even while its goals and programs remain murky and name recognition low.

The full membership includes Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Originally seen as a foil to U.S. influence in Central Asia, the original organization picked up four new members with the addition of India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.