TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China is rolling out the red carpet for more than two dozen world leaders at two major defense-related events this week. The guest lists, and some notable omissions, are a window into Beijing’s ambitions, alliances and attempts to expand its influence.

The annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) , established in 2001 with a focus on security in Central Asia and the wider region, opened Monday in the port city of Tianjin. That will be followed by a massive military parade in Beijing on Wednesday commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

High-profile guests include the Russian and North Korean leaders, and heads of state and government from most Southeast Asian and Central Asian nations. But the guest lists for the SCO f

See Full Page