Silk Road Spirit in Action

In a world that requires shared progress and prosperity, the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange brought together scientific minds from across the globe and demonstrated the power of science and technology in bridging divides and fostering sustainable development.

Shared vision for sci-tech progress

The international experts attending the conference were unanimous that sci-tech cooperation has become a powerful engine to promote high-quality development.

At the opening ceremony, the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Gill underscored the pivotal role of collaboration: "What is needed in today's society is not only sci-tech progress but more importantly, the establishment of solid partnerships and productive dialogue to ensure that sci-tech progress is more meaningful and practical."

Thailand's Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi said BRI sci-tech cooperation has been reshaping the global innovation landscape, steering international collaboration toward a more balanced and productive direction. This ensures that scientific resources and achievements benefit a broader spectrum of nations and peoples.

Calling the BRI's approach to international scientific collaboration "fantastic," Felix Dapare Dakora, a member of the African Academy of Sciences who has decades of experience in agricultural and plant sciences, called it "probably one of the best initiatives of the 21st century."

He also said developing countries have long been sidelined and the BRI "brings the developing world together to build collective strength through sci-tech cooperation."

Global voices, unified goals

China not only engages in international sci-tech cooperation but has also assumed a leadership role in fostering inclusive growth.

Luo Delong, deputy director-general of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) organization, reinforced this perspective, saying that since its inception, the BRI has adhered to an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial ideology, with the well-being of people remaining its unwavering goal.

A landmark moment came in 2024, when China, Brazil, South Africa, and the African Union jointly launched the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to cultivate an open, fair, and non-discriminatory global environment for sci-tech development, ensuring that innovation benefits the Global South.

Blade Nzimande, minister of science, technology and innovation of South Africa, articulated the essence of BRI collaboration: "This cooperation is not a one-way transfer of technology but a mutually beneficial, two-way exchange. China is willing to collaborate with various partner countries and genuinely respects its partner countries."

Experts lauded China's establishment of effective cooperation mechanisms, including technology transfer centers and youth scientist exchange programs. These mechanisms are translating visions into tangible benefits in people's lives.

"The BRI is not only a catalyst for shared economic advancement but also a wider platform for driving scientific innovation and sustainable development," said Chang Lih Kang, minister of science, technology, and innovation of Malaysia. "This multilateral framework stands as a testament to our collective commitment to ensuring that no nation is left behind in the global journey toward innovation and digital transformation."

The ocean refuses no rivers

At the heart of the BRI's scientific collaboration lies a timeless principle. "The Silk Road spirit, openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, is fundamental to the BRI's science, technology, and innovation cooperation. It embodies the principle that civilizations thrive through exchange and mutual learning," said Francesco Faiola, an Italian scientist at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

According to Faiola, today the BRI operationalizes this philosophy by recognizing the equal value of all civilizations and rejecting scientific hierarchies.

This spirit was vividly demonstrated at the Belt and Road Forum for Young Scientists, which emerged as a vibrant hub of ideas, with over 100 young scientists from BRI partner countries showcasing their research results. The presentation by Daniya Yaliyeva, a young scientist from Nigeria, exemplified the potential of cross-border collaboration.

Fakhar Zaman, another young researcher from Pakistan, said: "The BRI has built an incredibly effective platform for exchange and learning. China provides abundant resources for those determined to strive. I am grateful for this youth talent program. For me, they represent opportunity, resources, and an even brighter future."

The principle of open collaboration extends beyond individual researchers to international big science programs. "Science breaks down borders," said Philip Diamond, director general of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), highlighting China's scientific engagement under the BRI. "I do not see China's sci-tech advancement as a threat," he said, based on his years of collaboration with Chinese institutions, including universities, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and CAS.

He noted China's commitment to open and transparent global science, as expressed by its science minister. "If you can arrange situations where scientists and officials are talking together, that can only help," he added, citing projects like ITER and SKA.

Dinara Shcheglova, vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, echoed this vision: "We see the BRI as an opportunity for joint technological advancement and for shaping a shared future based on science, sustainability, and mutual respect. We stand ready to expand these efforts together with our partners."

Source: Science and Technology Daily