The first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange opened in Chongqing city in southwest China on November 6. (PHOTO:VCG)

By BI Weizi

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange (BRST) that opened in Chongqing city in southwest China on November 6. He noted that the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held, ushering in a new stage of high-quality development for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which sci-tech cooperation is an important part.

Themed "Together for Innovation, Development for All," the two-day conference focused on intergovernmental cooperation in science and technology, people-to-people exchanges in science and technology, industrial innovation and development and paradigm shift in scientific research. Future medicine, open science and big data were also on the agenda. It was attended by 800 participants from around 80 countries and international organizations.

Jakab István, deputy speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, said Hungary was the first EU country to join the BRI and has been an unwavering supporter of its mission. "Besides trade, joint research between the two sides is also booming, covering areas as diverse as automobiles and batteries, water treatment and thermal energy technology, smart agriculture and green industry," he said.

Mongolia's minister of education and science, Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren said Mongolia recognizes the importance of regional cooperation, and joint efforts from various parties are needed to address the complex global problems.

The minister proposed strengthening the Mongolia-China partnership to promote common development and progress.

"The Belt and Road Initiative was launched by China, but it belongs to the world," said Mustafa B. Shehu, president of World Federation of Engineering Organizations. The world has become a different place because of the BRI, he added.

Shehu said that under the BRI, a large number of railways, ports, airports and other landmark cooperation projects have been built and commissioned around the world, including in his country Nigeria.

According to Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, scientific and technological innovation is an important driving force for high-quality development of the BRI. Since its launch, China has worked with all parties to implement the Belt and Road Action Plan for Science and Technology Innovation, accelerate the construction of the Silk Road of Innovation, and achieve a series of tangible results.

He introduced that China has signed intergovernmental agreements on science and technology cooperation with more than 80 countries, established more than 50 Belt and Road joint laboratories in the fields of health, transportation, materials and energy, and built more than 20 agricultural technology demonstration centers and 70 overseas industrial parks.

People-to-people exchanges, such as scientific researcher exchanges, youth scientific exchanges, and innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, are also in full swing. Nearly 10,000 young scientists from BRI partner countries have come to China for short-term scientific research and exchanges, and more than 16,500 technical and managerial personnel have received professional training.

Yin Hejun, China's minister of science and technology, launched the International Science and Technology Cooperation Initiative, advocating "openness, fairness, justice and non-discrimination" in international science and technology cooperation.

Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, South Africa’s minister of higher education, science and innovation, said the initiative will contribute to global security and global development governance, and help realize the Global Civilization Initiative's vision of building a more harmonious, win-win, interconnected and co-prosperous world.