Around two dozen Eurasian leaders will gather on Monday morning for a ceremony hosted by President Xi Jinping on the final day of a showpiece summit aimed at putting China front and centre of regional relations.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit kicked off on Sunday in the northern port city of Tianjin, days before a massive military parade in the capital Beijing to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.

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

Billed as an "opening ceremony", Monday's gathering is the first time all the leaders will assemble together at the summit, and Xi will deliver a speech.

Russian President Vladimir P

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