The Second BRST Held in Chengdu

The Second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange Held in Chengdu

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Attends the Opening Ceremony and Delivers a Keynote Speech

On June 11, the Second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange officially opened in Chengdu.

Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Afshin, Vice President of Iran; Ramatov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan; and Marina Raguš, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, delivered speeches. Amandeep Singh Gill, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, delivered a video speech. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, delivered a welcome address. The ceremony was presided over by Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China. The Alliance of National and International Innovative Enterprises for the Belt and Road Regions (ANIE) participated in the opening ceremony.

In his keynote speech, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to science and technology exchange and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, having proposed a series of significant initiatives and measures that serve as an important guide for promoting international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation. With joint efforts from all sides, China has continued to implement the Belt and Road Cooperation in Scientific and Technological Innovation, building “bridges of connection” through science and technology, weaving a network of innovation cooperation, and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Vice Premier Ding emphasized that a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, with technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence fully empowering socioeconomic development. However, the technology divide, digital divide, and intelligence divide are widening, and hegemonic, coercive, and bullying practices are creating major obstacles to global development. He called for strengthening solidarity and cooperation, thoroughly implementing the International Science and Technology Cooperation Initiative, and building an innovation-driven, open and inclusive, fair and equitable, prosperous, and sustainable Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Community, ensuring that technological progress benefits all humanity.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang put forward four proposals: First, further enhance openness and cooperation in scientific and technological innovation. Jointly explore mutually beneficial global cooperation models and support partnerships among research institutions, universities, enterprises, and think tanks to address major scientific challenges. Second, promote the inclusive sharing of scientific and technological achievements, uphold the principle of “science knows no borders and serves all humankind,” enhance the accessibility of science and technology, and implement the Belt and Road Special Cooperation Plan for Poverty Reduction through Science and Technology to better benefit all countries, particularly those in the Global South. Third, expand science and cultural exchanges, strengthen innovation partnerships, and actively carry out mutual visits, student exchange programs, technical training, academic conferences, and other forms of exchange to tighten the friendly ties between science and education. Fourth, improve the global science and technology governance system, address potential rule conflicts, societal risks, and ethical challenges posed by technological development, oppose the politicization and securitization of science and technology cooperation, and steer innovation toward advancing human civilization.

Vice President of Iran, Afshin said that science and technology have become a language connecting the world and a driving force for development. As reflected in the theme of this conference, countries must work together to build a road of innovation and promote cooperative development. The Belt and Road is not only a channel for deepening economic and trade relations but also a corridor for transmitting ideas, science, skills, and trust. Iran hopes to use this conference as an opportunity to advance cooperation in cutting-edge research data sharing, researcher exchanges, and the establishment of science and technology investment funds, jointly shaping a new global landscape of scientific and technological development.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Ramatov noted that under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the scientific communities of participating countries have deepened multilateral cooperation in recent years, demonstrating remarkable solidarity and achieving fruitful results. Uzbekistan highly values and actively engages in these efforts, especially in scientific and educational collaboration with China, promoting mutual benefits and building closer partnerships. Currently, Uzbekistan is focusing on advancing modern agriculture, healthcare, energy, and other sectors. The country looks forward to using the conference as a platform for practical cooperation with BRI partners to achieve win-win outcomes.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Raguš emphasized that in the face of increasingly severe global challenges, strengthening international cooperation, promoting shared development, and enhancing mutual understanding between civilizations have become essential choices for human society. China has long advocated for global development as a common cause of humanity and is committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The Belt and Road Initiative, based on principles of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, has created a platform for global development cooperation. Within this framework, China-Serbia relations have continued to deepen, achieving remarkable results across multiple sectors. She expressed hope that all Belt and Road partners would take this opportunity to strengthen consensus, deepen cooperation, and jointly build a new-era community with a shared future for mankind.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on TechnologyIn, Amandeep Singh Gill congratulated the conference on its successful opening and expressed appreciation for its efforts to strengthen global science and technology cooperation. He noted that science and technology are undergoing rapid and profound changes. While driving innovation, it is vital to ensure that innovation benefits all of society. The Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange provides a valuable platform for scientists, researchers, policymakers, and community members worldwide to connect, share expertise, and foster mutual understanding—this, he emphasized, lies at the heart of Open Science. He expressed hope that all parties will continue working together to advance a global vision for scientific innovation, grounded in cooperation and guided by inclusiveness, to improve human well-being.

Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, extended a warm welcome on behalf of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the People’s Government of Sichuan Province to all the guests attending the conference and expressed sincere gratitude to friends from home and abroad who have long supported Sichuan’s development. He remarked that the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping with a deep concern for the future of humanity and global development trends, has been widely recognized and actively supported by the international community. The Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, personally planned and promoted by President Xi, has become an important platform for BRI countries to strengthen technological exchange and cooperation, empowering the development of new quality productive forces. As a key hub along the Belt and Road, Sichuan is vigorously promoting the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation, striving to build itself into a center of innovation in western China and a strategic highland for opening up to the west. Sichuan is willing to work with all parties to build technology innovation bases, share the fruits of scientific and technological progress, and promote science and culture exchanges. It is committed to building a high-standard Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Center, facilitating two-way transfers and industrialization of scientific and technological achievements, accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, and ensuring that the benefits of scientific progress are shared by the people of all BRI partner countries.

At the opening ceremony, several key initiatives were launched: The 2024 National Innovation Index Report (English version) was released; The International Meridian Science Program was initiated; The Belt and Road Artificial Intelligence Scientific and Technological Innovation Cooperation Program and the Belt and Road Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Program were launched; The Fourth Batch of Belt and Road Joint Laboratories and Five Belt and Road Technology Innovation Cooperation Alliances were inaugurated; The Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Center in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the "Double-Thousand" Belt and Road Science and Technology Cooperation Program in the region were launched.

Following the opening ceremony, the Plenary Session of the conference was held. On-site and video speeches were delivered by Rodríguez, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment of Cuba; Zhang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia; Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand; and Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Thematic speeches were delivered by Barry Marshall, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine; Xue Qikun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Bertram Lohmueller, CEO of Steinbeis Sustainable Technology and Management; and Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of CATL.

The event brought together approximately 1,500 participants, including government officials from partner countries, foreign diplomats in China, representatives of international organizations, officials from central and local departments, scientists and scholars, and leaders of scientific institutions and enterprises.