The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project is a typical example of cooperation between China and Indonesia under the BRI framework. Photo shows a high-speed bullet train runs on the railway. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By ZHONG Jianli

Over the past decade, scientific and technological innovation has served as a driving force for high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through sci-tech cooperation, BRI partner countries have enhanced their innovation capacity, bridged digital gaps and achieved green development.

Thriving sci-tech exchanges

In May 2017, the Action Plan on Belt and Road Cooperation in Scientific and Technological Innovation was launched to enhance the innovation capacity of BRI partner countries. It has achieved significant results in joint research, technology transfer, science and technology and cultural exchanges, and cooperation between high-tech industrial parks.

By the end of June 2023, China had signed intergovernmental agreements on sci-tech cooperation with more than 80 BRI partner countries, and established more than 50 joint laboratories in agriculture, new energy and healthcare. It has also established nine cross-border technology transfer platforms for ASEAN, South Asia, Arab states, Africa, Latin America and other regions.

Talent exchanges are deepening. Since 2013, China has hosted more than 10,000 young scientists from BRI partner countries to carry out short-term research and exchanges in China. Trips have been organized for researchers from Africa, ASEAN, South Asia and other regions to acquaint them with the latest sci-tech developments in China.

The Alliance of International Science Organizations, founded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences under the framework of the BRI, has 67 members from research institutions, universities and international organizations in 48 countries and regions in Europe, Asia, South America, Oceania and Africa.

The China-Belarus Great Stone Industrial Park in Belarus is a model of high-tech industrial park cooperation. It has attracted investment from 114 enterprises in 16 countries, mainly in machinery manufacturing, e-commerce, new materials, traditional Chinese medicine and artificial intelligence, according to Xie Xiaoyong, the Chinese ambassador to Belarus.

Building a digital Silk Road

With the world switching to a digital economy, digital cooperation in BRI partner countries has achieved remarkable progress.

To strengthen policy coordination, China has proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Belt and Road Digital Economy International Cooperation Initiative. It also took the lead in formulating the Framework of Standards on Cross-border E-commerce.

The China-ASEAN cooperation on smart city development continues to deepen, and China-Arab cooperation on the online Silk Road proceeds steadily, according to Cong Liang, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, during a press briefing.

Cooperation in digital infrastructure connectivity has also strengthened. China has built 5G base stations, data centers, cloud computing centers and smart cities in BRI partner countries which previously had no basic network infrastructure, and promoted digital upgrading and transformation of traditional infrastructure such as ports, railways and energy networks.

Cong said cross-border e-commerce has become a new engine to promote the growth of trade in goods in BRI partner countries. Cloud platforms and other services provided by Chinese enterprises are continuing to benefit the local people in these countries.

Besides, the Cloud Classroom program has provided livestreamed training sessions for more than 80 countries to reinforce their digital literacy.

Green technology for sustainable growth

Green and low-carbon development is one of the defining features of the BRI, which emphasizes harmonious development between humans and nature, and pursues sustainable and eco-friendly growth.

China has issued the Guidelines on Jointly Promoting Green Development of the Belt and Road, and launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development together with 31 countries.

It has pledged to stop building new coal-fired power stations overseas and is ready to deepen research cooperation with partner countries on biodiversity conservation, and build the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center.

Using advanced green, low-carbon technologies, Chinese companies have invested in a large number of eco-friendly projects in BRI partner countries, such as the Zhanatas wind power plant in Kazakhstan and the Hann Bay wastewater treatment project in Senegal.

While constructing the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya, the Chinese builders created several passages through which the local wildlife like elephants and giraffes could move freely and safely to accommodate their living habits, thereby contributing to harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

Looking into the future, China will continue to leverage its scientific and technological strength and other experiences acquired over the past decade to carry forward cooperation with BRI partner countries and build a global community of shared future.