SCO proudly moves into next step of development

[TaiShang]

SCO proudly moves into next step of development
By Liu Sishuo Source:Global Times Published: 2015-7-8 0:43:01

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT


The 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit will be held in Ufa, Russia on July 9 and 10. Leaders of the member states will discuss the group's development strategy, exchange views on issues including regional security and development, make political declarations and reach multilateral cooperative agreements. What deserves more attention is that the summit is expected to officially start work on the group's enlargement. The resolution for new membership, if agreed upon by all, will become a milestone, indicating the SCO is stepping into a new stage.

The expansion of the SCO is an inevitable result of its development and it chimes with the strong appeals for cooperation in the region as well. So far, there are more than 10 countries applying to be either member states, observers or dialogue partners of the SCO. Many international organizations have established cooperative relationships with the group as well. People cannot help thinking about the factors underlying the attraction of the SCO.

From a historical perspective, the SCO fits the trend of world multi-polarization and globalization. At present, countries are becoming increasingly close and interdependent with each other. The trend of regional integration is growing. There is an evident rise in the need for multilateral cooperation on security and development. Based on the principle of equality and mutual benefits, the SCO strives for common development and provides a multilateral platform, with collective efforts from all sides, to achieve regional stability, prosperity and win-win cooperation for all.

In terms of its characteristics, the SCO has established a new mode for international relations that are non-aligned, non-confrontational and not directed against a third party. This mode reflects the global trend of peace and cooperation, deepens mutual trust, eliminates differences, improves efficiency and facilitates harmonious development. This mode, for certain, will gain support from more countries.

In terms of its achievements, the SCO, after 14 years of continuous efforts, has formed three pillars - security, pragmatism and humanism. This cooperation is quite effective. Fighting against the "three evil forces," namely separatism, extremism and terrorism, as well as cracking down on cross-border crimes including drug smuggling, is a core task for the SCO in the long term. Deepening cooperation in trade, finance, energy, transportation and agriculture has energized the economies of the members. Increasingly close cultural communications have promoted mutual understanding between people from all member countries.

The achievements of the SCO are a result of the joint efforts of the member states. China, as the "birth place" of the SCO, has long regarded the organization as an important platform for diplomacy and the new international relations. China has long stuck to the "Shanghai Spirit," and proposed an integrated and united community. By training talents in various areas for member states and providing financial support for cooperative projects in transportation, energy, telecommunications and other fields, China has taken on the responsibility of being the leading power. Aiming to create more opportunities for cooperation, China is also active in promoting the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and its linking with initiatives from other countries. China, with its confident, sincere, pragmatic and cooperative attitude, has won the respect of other countries.

Those who know the situation well can take the lead. At present, the global and regional situations have witnessed profound and complicated changes. The "three evil forces" are intertwining; the negative effects of the Afghanistan conflict are spreading; conventional and unconventional security threats are intertwined and regional security issues are becoming more complex.

In the meantime, the world economy is undergoing profound adjustments, with its recovery facing difficulties. Many countries are facing economic downward pressure. How to speed up economic transformation and upgrading in a changing situation is an urgent task for the SCO at the Ufa summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be joined by other political leaders to work on the long-term development of the SCO, to deepen cooperation in various fields, to enhance the efficiency of the system and to broaden international communications. It is hoped that the SCO, under the guidance of world leaders, will move forward into a bright future with greater confidence and openness.

***

Hopefully Pakistan, Aghanistan and Iran will be in as full members any time soon. This would significantly improve cooperation and coordination on regional security problems and threats such as separatism and extremism.

@AndrewJin , @Shotgunner51 , @powastick , @Yizhi , @Economic superpower , @waz , @Horus , @mike2000 is back , @cirr , et al.

 

[IR-TR]

This is great. Security cooperation in Asia without outside influence and meddlers. Very good. Though I'd suggest you change the name. Why Shanghai? That has to be quite the ego-crusher for peer countries to join. I mean everything could stay the same, just change the name. Like the AIIB, it's not the Shanghai ... Bank. But good to see India and Pakistan join. This could be a forum in which they are forced to cooperate more, and finally fix that Kashmir crap. I hope Iran can join too.

 

[TaiShang]

This is great. Security cooperation in Asia without outside influence and meddlers. Very good. Though I'd suggest you change the name. Why Shanghai? That has to be quite the ego-crusher for peer countries to join. I mean everything could stay the same, just change the name. Like the AIIB, it's not the Shanghai ... Bank. But good to see India and Pakistan join. This could be a forum in which they are forced to cooperate more, and finally fix that Kashmir crap. I hope Iran can join too.

It started out as Shanghai Five. Then changed into the current form. I am not aware of any indication that the members are not happy with the title. I guess, perhaps apart from India, neither Iran, nor Afghanistan would mind it.

India is free not to join.

 

[Tractor]

No new single member before,just by now and hopfully in the future for our purpose of founding SCO is gaining control over central Asia.

 

[Sam.]

It started out as Shanghai Five. Then changed into the current form. I am not aware of any indication that the members are not happy with the title. I guess, perhaps apart from India, neither Iran, nor Afghanistan would mind it.

India is free not to join.

that guy is Chinese and not Indian

 

[Shotgunner51]

Hopefully Pakistan, Aghanistan and Iran will be in as full members any time soon. This would significantly improve cooperation and coordination on regional security problems and threats such as separatism and extremism.

A proper enlargement of SCO should serve the purpose of strengthening the organization, not weakening it.
By that members should have common, instead of conflicting, geopolitical vision.

 

[mike2000 is back]

This is great. Security cooperation in Asia without outside influence and meddlers. Very good. Though I'd suggest you change the name. Why Shanghai? That has to be quite the ego-crusher for peer countries to join. I mean everything could stay the same, just change the name. Like the AIIB, it's not the Shanghai ... Bank. But good to see India and Pakistan join. This could be a forum in which they are forced to cooperate more, and finally fix that Kashmir crap. I hope Iran can join too.

India and pakistan cooperate? Are you dreaming bro?? I know you keenly wish to see a non western block/country take on the 'evil west/U.S , however that doesnt means you shouldnt be pragmatic/realistic in your statements.

Pakistan and india will only use this occasion as a new platform/battleground in which to continue their fight and rivalry in the region. That's the sad reality. You can keep wishing for the imaginary best though, but im always realistic and i say things the way the are. No sugar coating.

No new single member before,just by now and hopfully in the future for our purpose of founding SCO is gaining control over central Asia.

This organization is ALMOSTuseless to be honest. Well apart from trying to remotely cooperate in fighting drugs crime/other small insignificant terror groups. There is nothing more in it that individual countries cant do alone or biliterally. So its more of a photo meeting event than a real strategic organization. Since i dont really see what it has achieved at all during all its 14 years of existance. Lol

 

[TaiShang]

India and pakistan cooperate? Are you dreaming bro?? I know you keenly wish to see a non western block/country take on the 'evil west/U.S , however that doesnt means you shouldnt be pragmatic/realistic in your statements.

Pakistan and india will only use this occasion as a new platform/battleground in which to continue their fight and rivalry in the region. That's the sad reality. You can keep wishing for the imaginary best though, but im always realistic and i say things the way the are. No sugar coating.

A proper enlargement of SCO should serve the purpose of strengthening the organization, not weakening it.
By that members should have common, instead of conflicting, geopolitical vision.

Indeed. The SCO should not be a ground for personal vendetta. That's probably why who is going to be admitted as full member is still the big question.

These countries are already given observer status. Personally, the first to be included should be Iran.

This organization is ALMOSTuseless to be honest. Well apart from trying to remotely cooperate in fighting drugs crime/other small insignificant terror groups. There is nothing more in it that individual countries cant do alone or biliterally. So its more of a photo meeting event than a real strategic organization. Since i dont really see what it has achieved at all during all its 14 years of existance. Lol

You do not anticipate a NATO like involvement because that was never the stated aim. In terms of assisting the member countries to fight the three threats of extremism, separatism, and terrorism, the SCO has done a good job by coordinating efforts, providing institutional linkages and, through regular military drills, training.

It has achieved the stated aims so far, but, whether the stated aims have been enough to be considered a globally viable institution is another question.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Indeed. The SCO should not be a ground for personal vendetta. That's probably why who is going to be admitted as full member is still the big question.

These countries are already given observer status. Personally, the first to be included should be Iran.



You do not anticipate a NATO like involvement because that was never the stated aim. In terms of assisting the member countries to fight the three threats of extremism, separatism, and terrorism, the SCO has done a good job by coordinating efforts, providing institutional linkages and, through regular military drills, training.

It has achieved the stated aims so far, but, whether the stated aims have been enough to be considered a globally viable institution is another question.

Why is it not an aim to create a NATO like organ? I thought according to chinese members here that China and Russia are cooperating together to counter the 'war mongering/imperialistic' U./West?
Qyestion they should ask themself is this: why has therebeen no country/region bold/courageous enough to create a block/organization like NATO to challenge the West/U.S which they so like criticizing day and night?? Thing is they all dont trust each other that much/have too much ego and divergences, plus they even hace closer ties to the west/U.S than among themselves. Lool

IN THIS respect, i dont foresee any major change in this SCO , well apart from posing for photoshots and fighting 'separatism'. Lol

 

[TaiShang]

Why is it not an aim to create a NATO like organ? I thought according to chinese members here that China and Russia are cooperating together to counter the 'war mongering/imperialistic' U./West?

China or Russia often watched the West ravage the rest of the world over the past decades without much interference -- perhaps except taking away the global legitimacy by vetoing multilateral action. There is no intention, currently, to act as a savior of the world. What these tow countries care about really is their own safety and security. They just want to achieve the untouchable status, that's all. So, West can do its wars wherever it wishes.

Thing is they all dont trust each other that much/have too much ego and divergences, plus they even hace closer ties to the west/U.S than among themselves. Lool

Your international vision is too linear and simplistic.

I do not see much trust between France and Germany, either. Trust is never a concern for nations, so long as there are converging interests. China and Russia do cooperate on multiple development fronts, but, militarily, they are not interested in taking on the West. At least for now. History moves but not as dramatically as you wish it would. Just because they cooperate does not mean they would shed the West entirely. That's a stupid assumption.

IN THIS respect, i dont foresee any major change in this SCO , well apart from posing for photoshots and fighting 'separatism'.

Every gathering has a photo session. But fighting separatism is real. This is something the SCO does not have to prove others. It is what it is. The result is there. Neither separatism, nor extremism has spread dangerously in Central Asia. That's in part thanks to the SCO and governments' high alert. I also did not see NATO preventing London Metro bombing or 9/11. It does not mean these countries do not cooperate.

Your world view is dangerously simplistic and black&white.

 

[Echo_419]

It started out as Shanghai Five. Then changed into the current form. I am not aware of any indication that the members are not happy with the title. I guess, perhaps apart from India, neither Iran, nor Afghanistan would mind it.

India is free not to join.

I agree with you on this one admitting both PK & India will be disastrous for the org hopefully in the future we can join it

 

[mike2000 is back]

China or Russia often watched the West ravage the rest of the world over the past decades without much interference -- perhaps outside taking away the global legitimacy by vetoing multilateral action. There is no intention, currently, to act as a savior of the world. What these tow countries care about really is their own safety and security. They just want to achieve the untouchable status, that's all. So, West can do its wars wherever it wishes.



Your international vision is too linear and simplistic.

I do not see much trust between France and Germany, either. Trust is never a concern for nations, so long as there are converging interests. China and Russia do cooperate on multiple development fronts, but, militarily, they are not interested in taking on the West. At least for now. History moves but not as dramatically as you wish it would. Just because they cooperate does not mean they would shed the West entirely. That's a stupid assumption.



Every gathering has a photo session. But fighting separatism is real. This is something the SCO does not have to prove others. It is what it is. The result is there. Neither separatism, nor extremism has spread dangerously in Central Asia. That's in part thanks to the SCO and governments' high alert. I also did not see NATO preventing London Metro bombing or 9/11. It does not mean these countries do not cooperate.

Your world view is dangerously simplistic and black&white.

Yes you are right, its not different from what im trying to say. I was just bribg sarcastic in some of my remarks. I just want nembers like @IR-TR and others like him who dream day and night of a non western block a la NATO to challenge the West/U.S(never mind he lives in a western country and helps pay taxes/contribute to wstern imperialism.lol) that it isnt going to happen anytime soon. people like him needs to be more realistic in their views instead of always seeing things in a way that can be against the west/U S lool. Hes even more optimistic of countries like China and Russia going against the west than people if these countries themselves. without knowing as you said tht China has no intention of taking on the west(espwcially not militarily) or forming any block against the west at all. So he can keep wishing even arch nemensis/ennemies like india and Pakistan will cooperate foe the sake of uniting against the 'evil west'. Loool not knoqing that these same countries will rather cooperate/ally with the west anyday than with each other. Loool
Just good to see you mentioned China and Russia have no intention to act as saviour of the world, as they are jus after their own security and nothing more, which is absolutely true..Hope people like him out there realise that.

 

[Heinz Guderian]

Yes you are right, its not different from what im trying to say. I was just bribg sarcastic in some of my remarks. I just want nembers like @IR-TR and others like him who dream day and night of a non western block a la NATO to challenge the West/U.S(never mind he lives in a western country and helps pay taxes/contribute to wstern imperialism.lol) that it isnt going to happen anytime soon. people like him needs to be more realistic in their views instead of always seeing things in a way that can be against the west/U S lool. Hes even more optimistic of countries like China and Russia going against the west than people if these countries themselves. without knowing as you said tht China has no intention of taking on the west(espwcially not militarily) or forming any block against the west at all. So he can keep wishing even arch nemensis/ennemies like india and Pakistan will cooperate foe the sake of uniting against the 'evil west'. Loool not knoqing that these same countries will rather cooperate/ally with the west anyday than with each other. Loool
Just good to see you mentioned China and Russia have no intention to act as saviour of the world, as they are jus after their own security and nothing more, which is absolutely true..Hope people like him out there realise that.

You not understanding why China needed India in SCO,

India is more close to QSD instead of SCO, which become full fledged military treaty in near future. LoLz.

And what you think Russia is very close to China? That would be the greatest blunder to think.

 

[IR-TR]

that guy is Chinese and not Indian

I'm Turkish and Iranian, not Chinese nor Indian

India and pakistan cooperate? Are you dreaming bro?? I know you keenly wish to see a non western block/country take on the 'evil west/U.S , however that doesnt means you shouldnt be pragmatic/realistic in your statements.

Pakistan and india will only use this occasion as a new platform/battleground in which to continue their fight and rivalry in the region. That's the sad reality. You can keep wishing for the imaginary best though, but im always realistic and i say things the way the are. No sugar coating.



This organization is ALMOSTuseless to be honest. Well apart from trying to remotely cooperate in fighting drugs crime/other small insignificant terror groups. There is nothing more in it that individual countries cant do alone or biliterally. So its more of a photo meeting event than a real strategic organization. Since i dont really see what it has achieved at all during all its 14 years of existance. Lol

Mikey, listen. First of all, I don't necessarily want a bloc to 'take on the US', I just want there to be a balance. I was born in the West and I'm a democrat and always vote. I pretty much HATE religion too. So I'm not that 'eastern' in my outlooks. But, I don't want those god damn yanks to just be able to bomb and sanction anybody at will. That's why I want the SCO.

Speaking of India/Pakistan, you're insane if you think those two are allowed in, merely to give them another forum to keep their bitchfight going. If anything, it's going to pressure them to find a solution to that worthless peace of land, called Kashmir.

Finally you really want to see tangible results with SCO huh? Let me tell you, if they'd call themselves the new NATO and a military bloc, there would have been outcry from day one: "God damn communist dictatorship bond together/new Warsaw pact" etc etc. So no, they're doing it nice and slow and need not to label it. Then one day you wake up and see them do everything related to security through their SCO umbrella. That's how things work. Never wake sleeping dogs.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Speaking of India/Pakistan, you're insane if you think those two are allowed in, merely to give them another forum to keep their bitchfight going. If anything, it's going to pressure them to find a solution to that worthless peace of land, called Kashmir

Not even Indians and Pakistanis themselves here believe in what you just said. So you really think being part of SCO will help them resolve the Kashmir issue? Bro i'm sorry to say it, but with all due respect, that's quite naive of you to be honest.

In fact we and the U.S will be very very glad to see India and Pakistan gaining membership in this group. They will help us turn it into another SAARC. So we have nothing to do to spoil things at all.

Mikey, listen. First of all, I don't necessarily want a bloc to 'take on the US', I just want there to be a balance. I was born in the West and I'm a democrat and always vote. I pretty much HATE religion too. So I'm not that 'eastern' in my outlooks. But, I don't want those god damn yanks to just be able to bomb and sanction anybody at will. That's why I want the SCO.

LOOL Your parents immigrated from Iran/Turkey over to the 'evil' west to seek a better life for themselves and their children including you(which it seems they succeeded), you were born here and grew up in the west. You are also paying taxes and work here which help fund western imperialism in the world and makes the west Stronger. You should stop doing that to be honest and maybe go do that to other developing countries like China/Russia who are very non aggressive/saint/holy powers to save the world from the 'Evil' U.S/west that will be a good start/way to help 'balance the world'. Never mind that as my Chinese friend @TaiShang said, China/Russia are not trying to save the world or whatever, they are merely after their own interests and protecting themselves, not others. lool
So i don't know how your wish can come true if the Chinese and Russian leaderships themselves aren't interested. '