June 15 is the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Established in Shanghai in 2001 by the heads of state of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the SCO has since grown into a comprehensive regional cooperation organization with 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners. It covers approximately 60 percent of the Eurasian continent, nearly half of the world’s population and accounts for about a quarter of the global economy, making it the largest and most populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization in the world.
Of the many contributions the SCO has made to world peace and development over the past 25 years, one of the greatest is the Shanghai Spirit, which champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations and the pursuit of common development. This spirit has transcended the Cold War model of alliance and confrontation, and initiated a new paradigm of regional cooperation in security, trade, culture, global governance and other areas.
In security cooperation, the SCO has set an international example. One of the first agreements the organization signed was the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism. It has also established a military confidence-building mechanism in border areas between its members. The organization holds Peace Mission joint anti-terrorism military exercises on a regular basis and has established the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, with remarkable results achieved in combating separatism, extremism, terrorism and transnational organized crime, while promoting drug control and cybersecurity.
In economic and trade cooperation, the SCO has promoted the deep integration of other member states’ development strategies with the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed initiative to boost connectivity along and beyond ancient Silk Road routes. Currently, the international road transport routes among SCO member states total approximately 14,000 km. Landmark projects such as the China-Kazakhstan Production Capacity Cooperation Fund, the China-Belarus Industrial Park and the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Demonstration Area are benefiting the people of SCO members and other countries.
Cooperation has been advanced in fields including education, culture, science and technology, environmental protection, health, tourism and people-to-people exchange. By setting up the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission, providing Chinese Government scholarships and organizing SCO youth exchange camps, film festivals, marathons and traditional medicine forums, the SCO has set up a multi-level network of people-to-people friendship, promoting mutual learning and inclusiveness among civilizations and consolidating public support for the organization’s development.
The SCO is also increasing its role in global governance. It firmly upholds the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, advocates true multilateralism and a global governance vision featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and opposes hegemonism and unilateral sanctions. It has established itself as an important platform for unity and cooperation in the Global South, contributing its own solutions for shaping the international political and economic order to become more just and equitable.
In the face of rapid global change, the Shanghai Spirit remains as vibrant as ever. SCO members back each other up in security, remain committed to a win-win strategy of development, deepen mutual understanding in culture and uphold fairness and inclusiveness in governance. They play a positive role in maintaining lasting peace and common prosperity on the Eurasian continent, improving the global governance system and promoting the cause of human progress. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review News exchange item
