In 1991, China asserted that it could achieve global prominence through active participation in multilateral cooperation. By 2021, thirty years later and twenty years after co-founding its first international organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of multilateral institutions in China's foreign policy. It examines China's multilateralism by focusing on its engagement with the SCO from 2001 to 2013, specifically in relation to its foreign policy towards Central Asia. Through detailed analysis of the organization during this period, the study identifies the primary objectives of China's multilateral approach from the end of the Cold War to the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013. This exploration reveals how China has strategically utilized multilateral frameworks to enhance its influence and foster cooperation in the region, reflecting broader trends in its foreign policy development. The insights offered contribute to a deeper understanding of China's evolving role on the global stage and its commitment to multilateralism as a means of achieving its national interests.
