Backgrounder: SCO joint anti-terrorism drill

Source: CCTV.com | 08-10-2007 08:30

The SCO is one of the world's newest international groups, but is also one of the first to raise the anti-terrorism flag. Analysts say its strength and capabilities in this area are constantly improving.

Founded in Shanghai on June 15th, 2001, the SCO currently has six members. China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The group covers an area of over 30-million square kilometers.

Combined, its population equals about one and a half billion about a quarter of the world's total.

Since its establishment, the fight against terrorism has always been high on the agenda.

Zhao Xidi, former dep. director, Chinese FM, said, “As we know, terrorism, separatism and extremism are threats to regional stability and peace. They're usually interconnected and are constantly changing. So it's hard to say‘that's your terrorism, or this is my terrorism.” It's a common threat. We should cooperate in the fight against it.”

Joint anti-terrorism exercises are an important part of the SCO cooperation. Six military drills have so far been held.

China and Kyrgyzstan conducted a joint military exercise in October 2002.

The following year China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan held their first SCO drill.

And the most recent was in September 2006 when China and Tajikistan held their first joint anti-terror maneuver.

Ji Zhiye, vice president China Inst. of Int'l relations, said, “After the Cold War, many countries realized that they should safeguard their security through cooperation rather than military alliances. Member states of the SCO understand that."

The SCO is becoming a body that can firmly crack down on terrorist forces as well as establish an effective mechanism for eliminating and coping with security threats in the 21st century.

Editor:Du Xiaodan