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Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security and defence organisation formed in 2001 by China and Russia as a successor to the Shanghai Five, which was formed in 1996 between the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. As well as China and Russia, current members also include Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organisation also has several dialgoue partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Cambodia. The SCO is headquartered in Beijing, and its supreme decision-making body, the Heads of State Council (HSC), meets once a year.
US President Donald Trump has threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities begin executing anti-government protesters. Photo: AFP
Brics

Could the Iran crisis push Global South blocs to deepen security ties?

A lack of response from the SCO and Brics could have a negative impact on the groups – but the crisis could also bring them closer.

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China-Russia relations

Opinion | Despite their strong ties, Russia and China are emotional opposites

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War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
India

Opinion | How India and the US can find their way back to better relations

This year has revealed the need for personality-driven diplomacy to be anchored by steadier institutional ballast.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China is supporting multilateralism one institution at a time

With a new organisation to promote mediation, among other global bodies, China is signalling its enthusiasm to get more involved in world governance.

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India

Opinion | Why India is hedging its bets on another China charm offensive

As Washington pushes New Delhi closer to Beijing, both Asian powers must exercise strategic patience for an effective detente.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
China trade

Kazakhstan seeks investment to become ‘transit hub’ for China-Europe trade

Deputy trade minister Asset Nussupov says obstacles need to be cleared for ‘Middle Corridor’ trade route to flourish.

Diplomacy

Opinion | What China seeks to achieve with the Global Governance Initiative

The initiative does not seek to create an alternative system. Rather, it aims to strengthen the mechanisms of the current global order.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Focusing on pageantry, the West misses the point of China’s diplomacy

The West must realise the real contest is not about pageantry but which power can create space for others to feel secure, dignified, heard.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh hold a trilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 2. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

As the US retreats, can Xi’s new initiative shape the future world order?

Analysts say the GGI reflects China’s ambitions to shape a multipolar world, but it needs more substance to avoid becoming an ‘empty shell’.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s moment to rewire the world is arriving. What will it do?

For the first time since the Cold War, the world is between orders and the momentum is with Beijing as geopolitical winds shift eastward.

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Archaeology and palaeontology

Central Asia beckons for China’s cultural tourists retracing ancient Silk Road

Beijing’s infrastructure programme and other partnership initiatives with the Central Asian republics have seen visitor numbers soar.

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Laos

Laos embraces China, Russia-led SCO amid frustration with Asean

Laos is the third Southeast Asian nation to partner with the SCO, in a move that analysts say could erode Asean’s collective credibility.

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Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on August 31. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Opinion | China-led SCO is a critical salve for the ailments of the global order

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation does not seek to replace the UN but amid UN paralysis, regional multilateralism can help sustain global order.

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A security guard provides directions outside the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre before the start of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on September 1. Photo: EPA
Diplomacy

Opinion | For EU and China, Beijing parade was a missed chance to build bridges

The EU could have shown up to confront Putin and engage on Ukraine. China could have chosen true leadership over coalitions of convenience.

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Diplomacy

Editorial | Brics is looking for resilience, not an open clash with the US

It would be a mistake to discount Brics summits, where the aim is long-term strength amid global instability and geopolitical tensions.

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China's military weapons

Where’s Labubu? Peek into Putin’s hotel reveals colourful China welcome

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asks about Labubu, the popular Chinese plush toy, according to video posted by state journalist.

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Video footage published by a Russian state media journalist offers a glimpse behind the scenes of the Russian government delegation’s visit to China last week. Photo: Handout
India

Letters | The China-India message from Tianjin: perpetual hostility is unsustainable

Readers discuss the Xi-Modi meeting, and restrictions on mobiles on the dashboards of Hong Kong taxis.

Diplomacy

Opinion | In a summit full of symbolism, China lays out vision for multipolar order

The context of how Beijing sees its place in the evolving international system was conveyed in a subtle but unambiguous manner in Tianjin.

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Diplomacy

Macroscope | Shanghai spirit for new world order needs to be matched by the West

SCO summit’s vision can’t be implemented without the requisite monetary and financial systems in place. The West must play a role if the world is not to fragment into blocs.

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President Xi Jinping makes a speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1. Photo: Xinhua
Xi Jinping

Opinion | China’s multipolar ambition is making the US sit up and fire back

Through the SCO and Brics, China is building alternatives to Western-dominated financial and technological platforms.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on September 1. Photo: Sputnik / Pool via Reuters
United States

Trump suggests India is moving towards ‘deepest, darkest’ China orbit

Aides warn that New Delhi could regret the move and might face new curbs.

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Ukraine war

Opinion | Solution to Ukraine war must be found in the UN, not the killing fields

A balanced assessment of peace and security on the basis of sovereign equality is needed – not unilateral sanctions and lethal weapons.

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China-Russia relations

China’s vision of multipolar order depends on yuan-based system: Oleg Deripaska

Russian billionaire and Putin associate says Beijing is taking a cautious tack on dedollarisation.

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Russian metals magnate Oleg Deripaska says Chinese banks are too dependent upon dollar assets, and “scared to death to take any risk”. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s vision of ‘true multilateralism’ resonates with Muslim world

The age of uncontested US primacy is fading and a new chapter in global politics is being written.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China’s military drills

Xi’s diplomatic blitz casts new light on China’s foreign policy

Chinese president’s meetings this week with several key leaders highlight Beijing’s shifting overseas priorities.

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Xi Jinping

Opinion | How an SCO development bank could shift the global financial order

The symbolism of launching a financial institution amid renewed US trade tariffs and debates over de-dollarisation should not be underestimated.

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