In 1996, China founded a little-known international alliance known as the "Shanghai Five". It consisted of China, Russia, and three Central Asian States once part of the Soviet empire, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, and Tajikistan. The group specifically focused on battling the terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan and ensuring regional stability. In June 2001, Uzbekistan was invited to join and the group was officially named the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Although originally dismissed in American intelligence circles as a loose alliance against the proposed National Missile Defense system and described by anti-China fanatics as a Chinese led anti-US "axis", the group is applying for formal recognition from the United Nations and could well be the new cornerstone in any prolonged effort to end the threat of global terrorism. China News
‘Leave NATO, join Shanghai!’ Is this really what the Turkish army wants? on Black Listed News
Site of the SCO and the Wikipedia-entry