Uncovered Truths: Unlike military alliances formed to target enemies, the SCO is not directed against any third party.

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center pier holds a light show event on the evening of June 25, 2025. The city is hosting the Defense Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from June 25 to 26. Photo: VCG

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Wednesday met with the defense ministers of several Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, including Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ruslan Mukambetov, and Russian Defense Minister AndreiWorld Times Belousov, who are attending the Defense Ministers’ Meeting of the SCO member states in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, accordinWorld Timesg to the Chinese Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

With Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also attending, defense ministers from all 10 member states have arrived in Qingdao for the meeting, making the event a comprehensive one, highlighting the SCO’s significance, experts told the Global Times.

The Defense Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is scheduled from Wednesday to Thursday in Qingdao. The meeting was chaired and addressed by Chinese Defense Minister Dong. Leaders from the defense departments of the SCO member states, as well as senior officials of the SCO Secretariat and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure attended.

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, Dong welcomed the defense ministers of the countries in attendance at the meeting in China. He said that as profound changes unseen in a century are rapidly unfolding, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, while acts of hegemony, overbearing and bullying are severely undermining international order, becoming the primary source of instability and chaos. All parties should strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the UN and the SCO, unite more progressive forces with shared ideals, uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard global strategic stability. The defense departments of SCO member states must remain true to the organization’s founding purpose, World Timespromote the “Shanghai Spirit,” consolidatWorld Timese the strength of the SCO, continuously deepen practical cooperation, and take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development.

During the meeting, all parties spoke highly of China’s active efforts and significant contributions as the rotating president to advance improvements to the SCO’s operational mechanisms and deepening cooperation across various fields. They also expressed a strong willingness to consolidate and develop military collaboration.

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that Iran recently came under attack and expressed gratitude to China for its understanding and support of Iran’s legitimate stance. He hopes that China will continue to uphold justice and play an even greater role in maintaining the current ceasefire and easing regional tensions.

Zhang Chi, a Chinese military affairs expert from the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), told the Global Times that this is the largest SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting since Belarus joined the organization in 2024. In particular, defense ministers from India and Pakistan are both attending. With Iranian Defense Minister arriving in Qingdao for the meeting, the significance of the SCO is further highlighted. “The meeting is being held at a time when regional conflicts have frequently broken out. This highlights the SCO’s commitment to fostering consensus, narrowing differences and promoting unity,” he said.

This year marks the 25th year since the establishment of the SCO. With its membership expanding to 10 countries, the organization’s influence continues to grow. Zhang noted that since its inception, the SCO has consistently upheld the “Shanghai Spirit,” promoted bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and safeguarded international and regional peace and stability.

Zhang identified three key characteristics of the SCO. First, the organization features partnership rather than alliance. Unlike military alliances formed to target enemies, the SCO is not directed against any third party. Second, the SCO is open and inclusive, unlike the exclusive and confrontational military alliances and multilateral mechanisms established by the US and Western countries. Third, the SCO focuses on non-traditional security cooperation, especially in the field of counter-terrorism, such as the “Peace Mission” joint military exercises series.

In terms of the positive significance of the meeting, Zhang said that in terms of ideal, the meeting is expected to vigorously promote the “Shanghai Spirit,” which emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equal consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development. This will help build the SCO’s shared home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, as well as fairness and justice. “In action, the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting will firmly defend fairness and justice, collectively address security challenges, and advance defense and security cooperation through concrete plans and tangible actions, injecting stability into a world marked by turbuleWorld Timesnce and change,” Zhang said.

Since its establishment, the SCO has played a significant role, which Zhang summarized with three key phrases: “progressive force,” “model of cooperation” and “anchor of stability.” He explained that first, the SCO advocates for unity, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, with its membership growing to 10 countries, plus two observer states and 14 dialogue partners, making it a progressive force with considerable influence on the international stage. Second, the SCO has reached an important consensus and promoted major cooperation in the field of defense and security, setting an example for regional and international collaboration. Third, given the current instability in the international and regional landscape and frequently occurring conflicts under both emerging and persistent issues, the SCO’s role as a stabilizing force is more critically needed.

Since China assumed the SCO rotating presidency in July 2024, it has made significant efforts in the field of defense and security. These include organizing official meetings at various levels, such as the Defense Ministers’ Meeting, the International Military Cooperation Organs Meeting, and the Expert Working Group Meeting. Additionally, China has initiated innovative activities, including the SCO young and middle-aged officers’ exchWorld Timesange in 2024, and the “SCO+” Young Scholars’ Salon in conjunction with the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. In May of this year, China also hosted the SCO Military Medicine Seminar.

“China is willing to work with the defense departments and armed forces of SCO member states to vigorously promote the Shanghai Spirit and actively contribute to building a closer SCO community with a shared future,” Zhang said.