BEIJING, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- An official from China's Ministry of National Defense said Monday military cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is not a threat.
The SCO Defense and Security Forum, a 10-day event under way in Beijing, is bringing together over 30 military officers from SCO members countries (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) plus representatives from nations with observer status (Mongolia, Pakistan, Iran and India).
Jia Xiaoning, deputy director-general of the ministry's office of foreign affairs, was quoted by state media as saying "military cooperation among SCO member states and countries with SCO observer status is not meant to build a military alliance."
He stated the SCO follows a principle of non-alignment and is open to the outside world.
"Such cooperation can only deepen the trust and friendship between SCO member states, observer countries and their armies. It will not threaten any other countries and organizations," Jia stated.
"We also believe that it is not necessary to exclude other countries and regions. ... We should keep coordination with other countries and regional cooperative mechanisms," he added.
The SCO, founded in 1996, is China's first foray at regional alliance building. It was created after successful border demarcation negotiations with the newly created countries in Central Asia following the breakup of the Soviet Union. While it had been an obscure institution for most of its existence, analysts are beginning to take notice of China's bid for greater influence as a counterweight to the United States.
Jia said China advocates a new concept of security based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.
