BEIJING: Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has reaffirmed China’s dedication to strengthening military ties with Iran, highlighting the framework of security cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Speaking at the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security, Li emphasized China’s intention to deepen defense collaboration with Iran, its newest member, alongside forthcoming SCO entrant Belarus.
Li, addressing the conference in Kubinka, located outside Moscow, stated, “We will continue to strengthen the mechanism of security cooperation within the SCO, actively deepen defense collaboration with the organization’s newest member Iran, as well as Belarus, which will soon become an SCO member.”
China’s commitment extends to joint military exercises with partner nations and fostering global cooperation in arms control. Li asserted, “Beijing is ready to hold joint military drills and exercises with all countries, as well as find a larger space to hold drills and strengthen international cooperation in the field of arms control and non-proliferation (of nuclear weapons).”
SCO Security Partnership with Iran
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), founded on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China’s major financial center, has solidified its security partnerships, with Iran gaining full membership on July 4. Iran’s inclusion as the ninth member of this significant security and trade alliance adds weight to the SCO’s influence, alongside China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
Spanning political, economic, and international security realms, the SCO holds the distinction of being the largest regional organization globally in terms of geographical reach and population coverage. This coalition represents approximately 40 percent of the world’s population across around 60 percent of the vast Eurasian landmass.
Collectively, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of SCO member states comprises approximately 20 percent of the global economy. With Iran’s elevation to full membership status, the organization gains significant sway over approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil reserves.
