Current studies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are mostly conducted from the perspective of realism or liberalism, emphasizing the influence of traditional geopolitical factors or expanding security cooperation on the issue of economy, trade, energy, etc., leaving other factors in the background. By emphasizing social attributes in international relations, constructivism can effectively compensate for shortcomings in current research, especially A. Wendt's identity theory, which constructs a complete framework for analyzing collective identity through four basic variables. According to this theory, the SCO relies on interdependence on border issues, a common fate in combating terrorism and countering external interference, and institutionalized self-restraint led by the “Shanghai Spirit” to shape the organization's collective identity, but the objective fact of low homogeneity among member states prevents the organization from developing further. Starting from the position of constructivism, this article analyzes the identity of the SCO with the help of A. Wendt's identity theory, which helps expand theoretical research on the SCO and enrich existing studies of the identity of international organizations. At the same time, it recognizes the organizational positioning of the member states, which will help define step-by-step goals and development strategies for the SCO and improve the effectiveness and quality of regional cooperation in the future.

Current studies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are mostly conducted from the perspective of realism or liberalism, emphasizing the influence of traditional geopolitical factors or expanding security cooperation on the issue of economy, trade, energy, etc., leaving other factors in the background. By emphasizing social attributes in international relations, constructivism can effectively compensate for shortcomings in current research, especially A. Wendt's identity theory, which constructs a complete framework for analyzing collective identity through four basic variables. According to this theory, the SCO relies on interdependence on border issues, a common fate in combating terrorism and countering external interference, and institutionalized self-restraint led by the “Shanghai Spirit” to shape the organization's collective identity, but the objective fact of low homogeneity among member states prevents the organization from developing further. Starting from the position of constructivism, this article analyzes the identity of the SCO with the help of A. Wendt's identity theory, which helps expand theoretical research on the SCO and enrich existing studies of the identity of international organizations. At the same time, it recognizes the organizational positioning of the member states, which will help define step-by-step goals and development strategies for the SCO and improve the effectiveness and quality of regional cooperation in the future.