The China Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Studies was established in Beijing on March 30, 2006. The Center holds the status of national center for SCO studies.  Composed primarily of renowned experts and scholars from authoritative academic institutions within China, its leadership comprises a Director, an Executive Director, and a Secretary-General. The Center’s Secretariat is located at the CIIS, undertaking the day-to-day operations of the national research center.

The Center’s mission is to integrate China’s intellectual resources, strengthen research on SCO’s theories, strategies, policy, responses and developments. Its primary tasks include collaborating with corresponding national research centers in other SCO member states to form the SCO Forum. Through the Forum, the Center engages in academic research and theoretical discussions with experts and scholars from SCO member states, serving as a think tank in support of SCO development.

The Center regularly hosts major academic events each year, including its annual meeting and the SCO Think Tanks Forum. Since its establishment, the Center has published three SCO Research Reports (2007, 2008/2009, and 2009/2010). Since 2018, the Center has released the SCO Blue Book annually, with six editions published to date in Chinese, Russian, and English. The Center regularly sends delegations to attend SCO Forum meetings, contributing Chinese experts’ insights and proposals to the organization’s development.