Chen Yazhou

Abstract：In recent years，the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO) identity has caught more attention and discussion among its member states and scholars at large．According to the relational theory，the SCO identification can be extracted as a “relational identity”，which is the sense of belonging acquired by the member states and their evaluation of the membership during the SCO development．Therefore，based on the “relational identity”concept，it can be found that the identity of the SCO members towards the organization generally presents three patterns: pragmatic，value-based and emotional approach．The regional practices in the SCO framework partially meet the instrumental rationality，value rationality and emotional need of its member states，and thus they positively recognize the organization in terms of their interests，values and emotions．However，the weak identity foundation，the unbalanced configuration inside the relational identity and the rift between national level and social levels of the member states have led to the SCO identity dilemma．In the new era，while consolidating the current identity base，the SCO should adjust its internal relationship within a “relation-based governance” approach，and re-examine the logic of appropriateness，logic of consequences and logic of emotions of the member states seriously．At the same time，it should actively coordinate the relations among the members as well as the relationship between the SCO and its outside world，so as to make the identity truly become the internal driving-force for the steady and long-term development of the SCO.