Implemented by the Power Construction Corporation of China , the Infrastructure Project to Combat the Effects of Drought in Cunene Province,  Angola, was commissioned in April of 2022. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

Edited by TANG Zhexiao & LONG Yun 

Organized by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED) and the Shanghai Institute of Science & Technology Management, as a side event of the 2023 Pujiang Innovation Forum (from Sep.9-10), a forum on building an open and high-quality innovation ecosystem along the Belt and Road was held in Shanghai on September 9.

In the decade since its inception, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has evolved from a Chinese initiative into a global consensus. It has transformed from an aspiration for cooperation into a tangible platform for international development, becoming a widely embraced international public product.

The core principles of the BRI-openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation- have not only resonated with other countries, but also led to flourishing sci-tech cooperation among the Belt and Road countries, with deals inked and joint labs established.

Sci-tech Cooperation for Sustainability

A focus of the forum was on strengthening scientific and technological cooperation within the BRI. 

Hu Zhijian, chief researcher and former president at the CASTED, spoke about the potential for scientific and technological cooperation within the BRI framework. According to Hu, there are significant opportunities in developing digitalization and intelligent technologies. They can catalyze economic growth and support the global shift towards the green development, championed by the United Nations' sustainable development goals. 

Hu also underscored the importance of broad collaboration beyond governments. While governmental cooperation has been robust, there is great potential for connections across multiple sectors, including universities, research institutions, scientists, businesses, industries, parks, and risk investment companies. 

At a parallel seminar that focused on green transformation, Erik Solheim, former executive director of the UN Environment Programme and convener of the BRI International Green Development Coalition Advisory Committee, hailed China’s green development in recent years, citing the saying "Mountains and rivers green are mountains of silver and gold."

He said high-tech methods have replaced the old ones nowadays.For example, drones are now used to plant trees in many parts of China. These techniques and experiences are worth sharing with the other countries along the Belt and Road. 

BRI for international collaborations

Foreign Experts talked about maximizing the role of BRI in promoting international cooperation and local development. 

Adriano Proença, senior fellow at the Brazilian Center of International Relations

based in Rio de Janeiro, highlighted opportunities for local entrepreneurs within the BRI and stressed the potential of the Digital Silk Road and the Knowledge Silk Road, urging intelligent utilization of BRI infrastructure and knowledge flow. He suggested constructing an open innovation ecosystem to harness the opportunities in the BRI and enhance competitiveness.

Mlungisi Cele, acting head of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) of South Africa,expressed gratitude for China's support in infrastructure investment, which has boosted South Africa's competitiveness. He stressed the need for enhanced coordination in African domestic and regional policies and governance.

Exploring the theme of building an innovation ecosystem for agriculture under the BRI, Ana Célia Castro, director of the Institute for Advanced Studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, emphasized the significance of knowledge-sharing networks and knowledge governance. 

China has established nearly 10 overseas technology transfer platforms in regions including South Asia, Africa, Latin America, Arab countries, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the past six years, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

To create an open innovation ecosystem and embark on a new journey to build the Belt and Road into a Road of innovation, MOST will continue to deepen sci-tech cooperation along the Belt and Road countries, promoting people-to-people exchanges, technology transfer, as well as joint laboratories, said Dai Gang, director-general of the MOST's Department of International Cooperation.