SCO provides new paradigm for global security cooperation

BEIJING - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has turned 15 this month. The bloc is not only an effective regional economic cooperation framework but a new paradigm for global security cooperation.

The SCO takes a nonaligned, non-ideological and non-confrontation stance in regional and global issues. Member states respect diversity and resolve differences face-to-face, while supporting each other in common development.

The SCO reflects a new view of security cooperation without taking sides and forging alliances, said Ruan Zongze, deputy head of the China Institute of International Studies.

Real security is sustainable security and realizing one's own security at the sacrifice of others' is no longer acceptable. "It's time for a change," said Ruan.

Fifteen years on, the SCO is effective in safeguarding security, stability and sustainable development, according to the Tashkent Declaration that came out of the SCO summit last week. Its existence has contributed to the decline of terrorism, separatism and extremism in the region, Ruan said.

The organization was founded in Shanghai in June 2001 and has kept expanding. It currently has six full members -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- while India and Pakistan are in the process of gaining membership.

Observers include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners.

"Strength does not come from a single strong arm but many arms united," Ruan said.

The friendly relations and cooperation without interference are attracting more countries to the bloc, said Vladimir Evseev, deputy director of Russia's Commonwealth of Independent States Institute.

In a time of fast globalization, better global governance is needed to protect peace and promote development. The rise of SCO does not challenge current international order, but rather improves economic and security cooperation and aids progress.

A weak global economy and complicated security situation mean SCO nations must increase cooperation to contribute more to world stability and economic rejuvenation.