BRI forum aims to boost tech connection

China is set to unveil a raft of initiatives aimed at boosting international scientific and technological collaboration at the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, senior officials announced on Tuesday.

The conference, which will be held from June 10 to 12 in Chengdu, Sichuan province, seeks to strengthen international cooperation within China's global development network.

Chen Jiachang, a vice-minister of science and technology, said representatives from more than 100 countries and international organizations will attend the conference, guided by the idea of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

"The second Belt and Road Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology Exchange will also be held during this period, in which representatives will engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as strengthening exchange and collaboration in scientific and technological innovation with member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as enhancing the global governance framework for science and technology," Chen said.

Li Wenqing, a vice-governor of Sichuan, highlighted a new "Double Thousand" plan, which refers to a "1,000 cooperation projects" plan and a"1,000 young scientists exchange" plan. Double Thousand, which will be introduced at the conference in partnership with Chongqing, aims to deepen collaboration with BRI countries in areas such as joint research, technology transfer, and scientific and cultural exchanges.

Sichuan and Chongqing, strategically located at the intersection of the BRI epicenter and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, plan to leverage their strengths as hubs of the nation's reform and opening-up efforts. They will collaborate with partner countries on joint research initiatives focusing on major core technologies in fields such as electronics information, aerospace and clean energy.

Additionally, significant landmark projects and specialized livelihood projects related to public health, medicine and health, and environmental governance will be established in partner countries to enhance the well-being of their citizens. A series of technology transfer and transformation projects customized to the specific needs of each country will also be executed.

Li added that young Chinese scientific talent are expected to be sponsored for learning, training and collaborative research abroad, while young foreign talent can also receive funding for short-term research and exchange activities in China. Technical training programs and academic forums will also be organized.

Sichuan and Chongqing intend to establish a specialized coordination mechanism and allocate dedicated funds for the plan, Li noted, enhancing and deepening scientific and technological cooperation with partner countries in a comprehensive and effective manner.

Since China proposed the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan in 2017, it has made significant advancements in international cooperation, Chen said.

Regarding scientific cooperation with countries involved in the BRI, China has signed more than 80 government-to-government agreements, set up more than 70 joint laboratories and established 10 international technology transfer centers in areas such as Sichuan, Chongqing and Yunnan province. Support for young foreign scientists' short-term research and exchange activities in China has covered more than 80 percent of the countries, Chen said.