China is using the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to “enhance its ability to project power beyond its borders,” according to a recent report issued by the U.S.-China Economic & Security Commission. According to the report, that power includes military training exercises outside of China’s borders and practice in “air-ground combat operations… long-distance mobilization, counter-terrorism missions, stability maintenance operations, and conventional warfare.”
The report also goes on to say that the SCO is helping Beijing to “gain experience establishing the diplomatic relationships and arrangements necessary to support power projection,” including an active military presence in Central Asia.
