The Role of SCO and BRICS in Asian Stability from the Chinese Perspective

Asia-Pacific Leadership Network  |  Jiang Tianjiao

China’s comprehensive coordination of development and security has positioned the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS as primary multilateral mechanisms to drive regional stability and global economic growth. These platforms allow Beijing to advance security models outside traditional military alliances while balancing global governance and supporting multilateralism. Historically, both organisations have operated as heterogeneous coalitions, managing deep-seated internal differences among member states to expand their geopolitical influence.

To consolidate these gains, the SCO is transitioning from a narrow security platform into a comprehensive governance framework with a stronger economic focus and mature internal balancing mechanisms. Simultaneously, BRICS is upgrading into a central coordination hub for the Global South by deepening financial, monetary, and non-traditional security cooperation among its expanding membership. Detailed insights on this strategic evolution are available in the author's special report, which outlines China's long-term vision for Asian stability.

Comment

New Delhi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation represents a calculated hedge against Chinese dominance of Eurasian multilateralism. However, the persistent border tensions along the Line of Actual Control limit genuine security convergence within these forums. India must therefore leverage minilateral groupings like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to balance Beijing's institutional revisionism. This dual-track diplomacy prevents isolation while securing maritime interests in the Indian Ocean.

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