Xi says SCO bears greater responsibilities for peace, development
(SCO Tianjin Summit) Xi meets Vietnamese prime minister
(SCO Tianjin Summit) Xi meets Turkish president
(SCO Tianjin Summit) Xi says China fully supports Kyrgyzstan in taking SCO rotating chair
(SCO Tianjin Summit) Xi says China ready to stand with Belarus in practicing true multilateralism
(SCO Tianjin Summit) China, Armenia establish strategic partnership
Xi meets Maldivian president

- (SCO Tianjin Summit) Health cooperation fortifies, broadens SCO ties
- Collaborative exhibition on SCO countries' cultural heritage kicks off in Beijing
- (SCO Tianjin Summit) Feature: Booming China-Tajikistan trade fuels entrepreneurial dream
- Feature: China, SCO partners join hands for more sustainable future
Chinese FM highlights fruitful outcomes of SCO Tianjin Summit
More More >>
SCO offers new paradigm for global governance, say experts
Through the GGI, China reiterates its opposition to discrimination against any country -- big or small, rich or poor -- and stresses the need to ensure equal representation of the Global South in international economic and financial institutions.
Shanghai Spirit, the guiding principle of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), has transformed into a comprehensive concept of international relations, a Kyrgyz political expert has said.
In practice, the SCO translates these principles into action: joint counterterrorism exercises, coordinated intelligence sharing, energy partnerships and most crucially, the financing and construction of connectivity projects binding the continent together.
Through the GGI, China reiterates its opposition to discrimination against any country -- big or small, rich or poor -- and stresses the need to ensure equal representation of the Global South in international economic and financial institutions.
Shanghai Spirit, the guiding principle of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), has transformed into a comprehensive concept of international relations, a Kyrgyz political expert has said.
Development history
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, with its founding members being China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In 2017, India and Pakistan joined the SCO. In 2023, Iran became a member, followed by Belarus in 2024, bringing the total number of SCO member states to 10. The SCO has two observer states—Afghanistan and Mongolia—and 15 dialogue partners, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Laos.
Meeting mechanisms
The supreme decision-making body of the SCO is the Council of Heads of States (CHS). It meets once a year and is hosted by the rotating presidency country. The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) (CHG) is an important meeting mechanism within the SCO. It meets once a year. Additionally, the SCO framework includes various meeting mechanisms covering areas such as foreign affairs, national defense, security, economy and trade, culture, health, education, transport, emergency prevention and relief, science and technology, agriculture, the judiciary, tourism, and national coordination.
Standing bodies
The SCO has two standing bodies: the Secretariat in Beijing, and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The SCO Secretary General and the Director of the RATS Executive Committee are appointed by the Council of Heads of State for a three-year term. On January 1, 2022, Zhang Ming (China) and R. E. Mirzaev (Uzbekistan) took office as the SCO Secretary General and Director of the RATS Executive Committee respectively.
Official and working languages
Chinese and Russian.
Development history
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, with its founding members being China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In 2017, India and Pakistan joined the SCO. In 2023, Iran became a member, followed by Belarus in 2024, bringing the total number of SCO member states to 10. The SCO has two observer states—Afghanistan and Mongolia—and 15 dialogue partners, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Laos.
Meeting mechanisms
The supreme decision-making body of the SCO is the Council of Heads of States (CHS). It meets once a year and is hosted by the rotating presidency country. The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) (CHG) is an important meeting mechanism within the SCO. It meets once a year. Additionally, the SCO framework includes various meeting mechanisms covering areas such as foreign affairs, national defense, security, economy and trade, culture, health, education, transport, emergency prevention and relief, science and technology, agriculture, the judiciary, tourism, and national coordination.
Standing bodies
The SCO has two standing bodies: the Secretariat in Beijing, and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The SCO Secretary General and the Director of the RATS Executive Committee are appointed by the Council of Heads of State for a three-year term. On January 1, 2022, Zhang Ming (China) and R. E. Mirzaev (Uzbekistan) took office as the SCO Secretary General and Director of the RATS Executive Committee respectively.
Official and working languages
Chinese and Russian.