The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an international alliance that consists of 10 member states and 2 observers from Eurasia. It was established on 26 April 1996 as the Shanghai Five. In addition to the 10 member states and 2 observer, the SCO currently has 14 dialogue partners and 4 guest attendance entries.
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Member states
edit| Flag | Country |
Capital |
Largest city |
Area (km2) |
Population (2024) |
Density (/km2) |
GDP per cap. (PPP)[1] |
HDI[2] | Currency |
Official languages | Leaders | Accession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
China[a] People's Republic of China |
Beijing | Shanghai (metropolitan area) Chongqing (city proper) |
9,640,011[b] | 1,374,820,000 | 139.6 | 13,224 | 0.727 | Renminbi (Chinese yuan, ¥) (CNY) |
Standard Chinese[3] written in simplified characters[3] see also languages of China |
Head of State: Xi Jinping | 1996-04-26 |
 |
Kazakhstan Republic of Kazakhstan |
Astana | Almaty | 2,724,900 | 17,670,900 | 5.94 | 24,108 | 0.788 | Kazakhstani tenge (₸) (KZT) |
Kazakh (National) Russian |
Head of State: Kassym Jomart Tokayev | 1996-04-26 |
 |
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Republic |
Bishkek | 199,900 | 6,008,600 | 27.4 | 3,262 | 0.655 | Kyrgyzstani som (som) (KGS) |
Kyrgyz (National) Russian |
Head of State and Government: Sadyr Japarov | 1996-04-26 | |
 |
Russia Russian Federation |
Moscow | 17,075,400 | 146,519,759 | 8.3 | 24,449 | 0.798 | Russian rouble (₽) (RUB) |
Russian also see Languages of Russia |
Head of State: Vladimir Putin | 1996-04-26 | |
 |
Tajikistan Republic of Tajikistan |
Dushanbe | 143,100 | 8,352,000 | 48.6 | 2,698 | 0.624 | Tajikistani somoni (SM) (TJS) |
Tajik Persian | Head of State: Emomali Rahmon | 1996-04-26 | |
 |
Uzbekistan Republic of Uzbekistan |
Tashkent | 447,400 | 31,022,500 | 61.4 | 5,630 | 0.675 | Uzbekistani soum (soum) (UZS) |
Uzbek | Head of State: Shavkat Mirziyoyev | 2001-06-15 | |
 |
India Republic of India |
New Delhi | Mumbai | 3,287,240 | 1,284,480,000 | 364.4 | 8,484 | 0.640 | Indian rupee (₹) (INR) |
Hindi (Devanagari script)&, English . Also see Languages of India |
Head of State: Droupadi Murmu | 2017-06-09[4] |
 |
Pakistan Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
Islamabad | Karachi | 881,913 | 241,499,431 | 273.8 | $6,955 | 0.540 | Pakistani rupee (Rs) (PKR) |
Urdu (National) English |
Head of State: Asif Ali Zardari | 2017-06-09[4] |
|
Iran Islamic Republic of Iran |
Tehran | 1,648,195 | 79,011,700 | 48.0 | 17,443 | 0.766 | Iranian rial (Rl) (IRR) |
Persian | Head of State: Ali Khamenei |
2023-07-04[5] | |
 |
Belarus Republic of Belarus |
Minsk | 207,595 | 9,498,700 | 45.8 | 18,246 | 0.798 | Belarusian rubel (Rbl) (BYR) |
Belarusian Russian |
Head of State and Government: Alexander Lukashenko | 2024-07-04 | |
Military personnel
editThe following list is sourced from the 2018 edition of "The Military Balance" published annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
| Flag | Country | Active military | Reserve military | Paramilitary | Total | Per 1000 capita (total) |
Per 1000 capita (active) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
China[6] | 2,035,000 | 510,000 | 1,500,000 | 4,045,000 | 2.9 | 1.5 |
|
India[7] | 1,440,000 | 2,096,000 | 1,585,950 | 5,121,950 | 4 | 1.1 |
|
Iran[8] | 610,000 | 350,000 | 40,000 | 1,000,000 | 11.4 | 7 |
|
Kazakhstan[9] | 39,000 | 0 | 31,500 | 70,500 | 3.8 | 2.1 |
|
Kyrgyzstan[10] | 10,900 | 0 | 9,500 | 20,400 | 3.5 | 1.9 |
|
Pakistan[11] | 653,000 | 0 | 0 | 653,000 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
|
Russian Federation[12][Note 1] | 1,013,628 | 2,572,500 | 2,310,859 | 5,896,987 | 41.5 | 7.1 |
|
Tajikistan[13] | 8,800 | 0 | 7,500 | 16,300 | 1.9 | 1 |
|
Uzbekistan[14] | 48,000 | 0 | 20,000 | 68,000 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
- Notes
- ^ The potential reserve personnel of Russia may be as high as 20 million, depending on how the figures are counted. However, an est. 2 million have seen military service within the last 5 years.
Observer states
edit| Flag | Country |
Capital |
Area (km2) |
Population (2024) |
Density (/km2) |
GDP per cap. (PPP)[1] |
Currency |
Official languages | Leaders | Status gained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Mongolia | Ulaanbaatar | 1,564,115 | 3,475,540 | 2 | $16,504 | Mongolian tögrög (₮) (MNT) |
Mongolian | Head of State: Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh Head of Government: Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene |
2004-06-17 |
 |
Afghanistan | Kabul | 652,857 | 41,128,771 | 48.08 | $2,459 | Afghan Afghani | Kabul | De facto Supreme Leadere: Hibatullah Akhundzada De facto head of government: Hasan Akhund |
2012 |
Dialogue partner entries
edit
Future participation
editThe following countries have applied for a position in the organization:
| Flag | Country |
Capital |
Area (km2) |
Population (2016) |
Density (/km2) |
GDP per cap. (PPP)[1] |
HDI[2] | Currency |
Official languages | Leaders | Status applied for | Year applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bangladesh People's Republic of Bangladesh |
Dhaka | 148,460 | 169,828,911 | 1,305 | 2,470 | 0.661 | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Bengali | Head of State: Mohammed Shahabuddin | Observer | 2012[17] |
 |
Syria Syrian Arab Republic |
Damascus | 185,180 | 22,933,531 | 118.3 | 2,900 | 0.577 | Syrian pound (SYP) | Arabic | Head of State: Bashar al-Assad | Dialogue Partner | 2015[c][18] |
 |
Israel State of Israel |
Jerusalem[d] | 20,770 | 9,766,400 | 442 | 54,997 | 0.919 | Israeli new shekel (ILS) | Hebrew | Head of State: Isaac Herzog | Dialogue Partner | 2016[18] |
 |
Iraq Republic of Iraq |
Baghdad | 438,317 | 43,500,000 | 82.7 | 12,141 | 0.686 | Iraqi dinar (IQD) | Arabic | Head of State: Abdul Latif Rashid Head of Government: Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani |
Dialogue Partner | 2019[19] |
 |
Algeria People's Democratic Republic of Algeria |
Algiers | 2,381,741 | 44,700,000 | 17.7 | 13,324 | 0.745 | Algerian dinar (DZD) | Arabic | Head of State: Abdelmadjid Tebboune Head of Government: Aymen Benabderrahmane |
Observer | 2023[20][21] |
 |
Laos Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
Vientiane | 236,800 | 7,749,595 | 26.7 | 9,787 | 0.620 | Lao kip (LAK) | Lao | Head of State: Thongloun Sisoulith | Dialogue Partner | 2024[22] |
In 2012, Ukraine expressed interest in obtaining observer status. However, since the deposition of President Viktor Yanukovych and increased tensions with Russia, no application has been submitted and there are no current plans to incorporate Ukraine into the organization.[23][24]
In 2011, Vietnam expressed interest in obtaining observer or dialogue partner status. However, it is unknown whether or not, Vietnam has submitted an application.[25]
Guest attendance entries
editInactive
edit| Flag | Country |
Capital |
Area (km2) |
Population (2024) |
Density (/km2) |
GDP per cap. (PPP)[1] |
HDI[2] | Currency |
Official languages | Leaders | Status gained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Afghanistan[26] | Kabul | 652,867 | 41,128,771 | 48.08 | $2,459 | 0.462 | Afghan afghani (Af) (AFN) |
Pashto Dari |
De facto Supreme Leadere: Hibatullah Akhundzada De facto head of government: Hasan Akhund |
2012-06-07 (Observer) |
Membership declined
editThe United States applied for observer status in the SCO, but was rejected in 2005.[27]
Notes
edit- ^ The sovereignty of China is disputed. Since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China (ROC), which was formally established on 1 January 1912 following the Xinhai Revolution, which succeeded the former Qing dynasty's territories on mainland China, while the islands of Taiwan and Penghu were under Japanese rule at the time. The ROC gained control over the latter after the surrender of Japan in 1945, but soon lost its control of mainland to the communists due to the Chinese Civil War. The ROC government was relocated to Taipei in 7th December 1949 as its provisional capital and retains actual rule over the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, the Matsu, and other minor islands, all of which are collectively known as "Free Area" or Taiwan Area in contrast to Mainland China being under communist rule, thus making it a de facto island nation, and has become known colloquially as simply "Taiwan" due to the island of Taiwan forming the majority of the ROC-controlled territories; nonetheless, the ROC has not officially renounced its constitutional-defined territories which include areas effectively controlled by the People's Republic of China, Mongolia, Tuva (a Russian republic) etc. If claimed territories were taken into account, the ROC would not be a borderless country, nor a country centred around a major island. The ROC-controlled territories are also claimed by the People's Republic of China. Constitutionally, the ROC on Taiwan still views itself as the continuation of former Chinese republic, with legitimate sovereignty over mainland China despite no actual control. See: Political status of Taiwan, Retreat of the Republic of China to Taiwan, Four-Stage Theory of the Republic of China, Two Chinas, One-China policy, and Cross-strait relations.
- ^ The actual area under PRC control is 9,596,960.
- ^ Syria has initially applied for observer status, but "it was explained that first it is necessary to become a dialogue partner of the organization".[18]
- ^ Jerusalem is the capital under Israeli law with a number of governmental institutions located there and is only recognized by the United States, Kosovo, Guatemala and Honduras. While Israel has sovereignty of West Jerusalem, the international community considers East Jerusalem as part of the Palestinian territories under Israeli occupation since 1967. Consequently, most of the foreign embassies reside in Tel Aviv. See the status of Jerusalem for further details.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e at purchasing power parity, per capita, in international dollars (rounded IMF 2012)
- ^ a b c d at Human Development Index (New 2013 Estimates for 2012)
- ^ a b Law of the People's Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language (Order of the President No.37)
- ^ a b Bhattacherjee, Kallol (9 June 2017). "India, Pakistan become full members of SCO". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ "Iran joins SCO, the China-founded regional security grouping". Al Arabiya English. 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 249-250
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 260
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 260
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 188
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 190
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 291
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 192
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 207
- ^ IISS 2018, pp. 214
- ^ "Bahrain News Agency".
- ^ http://eng.sectsco.org/politics/20230718/951659/The-SCO-signs-a-memorandum-on-granting-the-Kingdom-of-Bahrain-the-status-of-dialogue-partner.html [bare URL]
- ^ |url=https://arab.news/5c83v
- ^ a b c "Syria, Israel, Egypt willing to join SCO's activity – president's special envoy". Interfax. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "'SCO family' widening? Many candidates share 'Shanghai spirit', but expansion not a goal". TASS. 5 September 2019. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "Algeria Submits an Application to Join the SCO". Echorouk. 21 June 2023.
- ^ "L'Algérie veut intégrer le capital de la banque des BRICS et l'organisation de Shanghai". L'Algérie Audjourd'hui. 21 June 2023.
- ^ "African state applies to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization". May 2024.
- ^ "Yanukovych Tells Putin Kyiv Wants SCO Observer Status". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ Grigoryan, Gurgen (8 October 2012). "Why Ukraine wants to become SCO's partner". InfoSCO. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ Radyuhin, Vladimir (2 December 2011). "Vietnam bids to join SCO". The Hindu. Moscow. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ Seiwert, Eva (30 September 2021). "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Will Not Fill Any Vacuum in Afghanistan". Foreign Policy Research Institute. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Hiro, Dilip (16 June 2006). "Shanghai surprise: The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation reveals how power is shifting in the world". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
Bibliography
edit- International Institute for Strategic Studies (3 February 2010). The Military Balance 2010. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1857435573.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (2 March 2011). The Military Balance 2011. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1857436068.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (7 March 2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1857436426.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 March 2013). The Military Balance 2013. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1857436808.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (3 February 2014). The Military Balance 2014. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781857437225.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2018). The Military Balance 2018. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781857439557.