“We do not want to be a club or a forum. The SCO is a responsible organization with the capacity to take effective action and cope with new threats and challenges.”--SCO Secretary General Zhang Deguang
　　After five years of development, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization says it has become a player in maintaining regional security and promoting economic cooperation. On June 15, leaders of SCO member countries will gather in Shanghai, birthplace of the SCO, to discuss the future development of the organization. SCO Secretary General Zhang Deguang fielded questions from reporters on the organization’s development and international image at a press conference on June 6 in Beijing. The following are excerpts of the questions and his responses:
　　Central Asia possesses abundant energy resources and four of the six SCO members are from the region. What measures will the SCO take to promote energy cooperation among its members in the future?
　　Zhang Deguang: Energy cooperation is a very important part of the multilateral and multi-area cooperation among SCO member states. Energy is of strategic significance to the SCO members in their sustainable economic development and we also attach great importance to cooperation in this area. Recently, the SCO specially established a working group to study cooperation projects, cooperation orientation and the implementation of cooperation projects in this sector.
　　In my opinion, energy cooperation among SCO members involves exploration and basic infrastructure construction for oil and natural gas, and the construction of hydropower plants, and oil and natural gas pipelines. But cooperation in the energy field is mainly conducted on a bilateral basis. Multilateral cooperation is currently in the discussion stage. Meanwhile, we have some plans in this regard and we are gradually accumulating experience in bilateral and multilateral energy cooperation. I believe closer cooperation in this sector will help the economic development of our member states.
　　
　　Does the SCO have a specific plan to strengthen regional security cooperation in the future? Does the organization have specific measures to deal with nuclear proliferation?
　　
　　The SCO has done a lot of work to promote regional security cooperation. All the member states signed a pact of cracking down on terrorism, separatism and extremism when the SCO was established. After that, at the Astana summit in 2005, leaders of SCO member states worked out a plan to further strengthen regional security, which has achieved obvious results. During the Shanghai summit, leaders will go on to discuss the regional security condition and determine the follow-up work necessary to strengthen regional security cooperation.
　　In order to increase our antiterrorism capacity and raise the coordination level of all member states in antiterrorism campaigns, the SCO has held several joint antiterrorism military maneuvers. SCO members have all agreed to hold the next antiterrorism military maneuver in Russia in 2007.
　　` 　　Regarding security cooperation, the SCO has established the cooperative mechanism of a security council secretary conference, which has started to work. Meanwhile, national defense ministers of member countries have met twice to discuss regional security and stability, new challenges and threats, as well as the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. We believe the Shanghai summit will supply new impetus for security cooperation.
　　In terms of nuclear proliferation prevention, the SCO has a consultation mechanism involving foreign ministries. SCO members can use the mechanism to discuss and exchange views on important diplomatic problems and major international topics. Prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is
　　undoubtedly an important topic for the mechanism. But, as of now, we have not held consultation specifically for this issue.
　　
　　Can you brief on the next antiterrorism military maneuver? Will such maneuvers influence the SCO’s international image?
　　
　　On the issue of the next antiterrorism military maneuver, I can only tell you that it will be held in Russia in 2007. I do not have further information about it since the event is still under discussion.
　　The SCO persistently gives priority to cracking down on terrorism. So, I think joint antiterrorism military maneuvers can only set a good image for the SCO. The international community will think the SCO is a responsible regional organization in maintaining regional security. Improving antiterrorism capacity should not only be a verbal statement or written agreement. We must pragmatically improve our level of coordination and should improve our antiterrorism capacity through great efforts.
　　The coming maneuver again proves that the SCO does not target any third party and we do not mean to provoke certain countries through this maneuver. I hope other international organizations properly understand this.
　　If we do not conduct military maneuvers, the SCO’s task of fighting against terrorism will only remain on the level of empty talk. In that case, what international image would the SCO have? A club? Or a forum? We do not want to be a club or a forum. The SCO is a responsible organization with the capacity to take effective action and cope with new threats and challenges. It has the capacity to take actions against terrorism. We hope the SCO will maintain such an international image, and in fact, it has such an image already.
　　
　　How do you view the comments that Iran supports international terrorism?
　　
　　Iran has already gained the status of SCO observer. When the country applied to become an SCO observer, it solemnly declared that it respects the SCO’s tenets and principles and would launch cooperative efforts with the SCO in terms of maintaining regional security and stability, cracking down on terrorism, separatism and extremism and promoting regional economic development. We respect Iran’s stance in this regard.
　　But we do not agree with our observer being labeled a “country that supports international terrorism.”
　　If any country has conclusive evidence that Iran does support international terrorism, the SCO will stop giving observer status to Iran.
　　
　　Some people regard the SCO as an “Oriental NATO.” What are your comments on this?
　　
　　I have noticed the phenomenon that the SCO is misunderstood in the international community to some extent. But I think, through its five years of operation, the SCO is widely recognized, especially its tenets and principles, and is also known for the “Shanghai Spirit.” The SCO has occupied an important international position and is becoming an active factor in maintaining world peace and promoting regional development. The saying that the SCO is an “Oriental NATO” is totally baseless.
　　The central tenet of the SCO was stipulated in its Charter endorsed in 2002. It does not target any third country or region, nor seek confrontation. It is characterized by cooperation, peace, openness and non-alliance. It is not a closed political or military bloc. It is not an anti-U.S. organization or anti-West club. Rather, it is a multi-area intergovernmental cooperation organization that fights against terrorism, separatism and extremism and promotes regional development. All these things are strictly abided by in all its activities. The SCO will never seek confrontation, which has been proved in its developing history.

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