Although the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) started off as a low-profile group, with a primary goal of solving border issues between China, Russia, and the former Soviet Union members, it has evolved into one of the world's most powerful organizations, as Russian President Vladimir Putin put it.
Putin made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Shen Haixiong, president of the China Media Group, a broadcasting platform, including CGTN. The Russian president spoke highly of the substantial resources the SCO has.
"The SCO member states account for one fourth of the world's GDP, 43 percent of the international population and 23 percent of the global territory," Putin said, stressing China, India, and Russia's rapid economic growth, all of which are major players of the organization.
June 9, 2017: Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit Meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. /VCG Photo
The 65-year-old Russian politician also shared his view on the recent hot topic – Korean Peninsula. He called the efforts made by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un "unprecedented."
"On one hand, they announced the suspension of missile tests and nuclear tests. Furthermore, they have dismantled one of its biggest nuclear sites," Putin said. "These are no doubt (about) important steps to our final goal of denuclearization."
In addition, the fourth-time Russian president also looked to the future on ties between his own nation and Western countries amid various economic sanctions proposed by the Western powers led by the United States.
"I am hoping for a positive relationship. But we are not surprised nor scared by current limitations and sanctions, and we will never give up the path of independence and sovereignty," Putin said, adding that those "sanctions" are hurting not just Russia, but the ones who carried them out as well.
"Those countries who followed America's actions, have suffered loss themselves from the US decision," Putin said. "It has been proven that these means are not at all powerful."
China Media Group is now the largest broadcasting platform in China, after merging China's largest state-owned television station China Central Television (CCTV), its international subdivision China Global Television Network (CGTN), and the state-owned radio stations China Radio International (CRI) and China National Radio (CNR).
