The Shanghai Cooperation Organization
How China built a regional bloc with Russia and Central Asian states -- and whether the SCO is a real alliance or a talking shop.
Origins and Evolution
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It grew out of the 'Shanghai Five' mechanism created in 1996 to resolve border disputes left over from the Sino-Soviet split. What began as a border confidence-building group evolved into a broader regional organization.
The SCO expanded significantly with the admission of India and Pakistan in 2017 and Iran in 2023. Belarus joined in 2024. With these additions, the SCO now encompasses roughly 40% of the world's population and over 30% of global GDP. Observer states and dialogue partners include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar -- an indication of the organization's growing pull.
The SCO's charter focuses on three stated priorities: combating 'terrorism, separatism, and extremism' (the 'three evils'), promoting economic cooperation, and coordinating security policies. A permanent secretariat operates in Beijing, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is headquartered in Tashkent.