Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT
The opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange was held in Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on Wednesday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The event, which aims to promote technological opening-up and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is set to witness the signing of a series of bilateral intergovernmental science and technology cooperation documents, along with the launch of multiple special cooperation programs in key fields under the BRI, as well as an international technology transfer center targeting BRI countries and a new group of joint research platforms, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
In the context of a complex and rapidly evolving global landscape, science and technology cooperation has emerged as a vital component of BRI development. China has signed intergovernmental science and technology cooperation agreements with more than 80 participating countries and initiated the establishment of more than 70 joint laboratories under the BRI framework. These accomplishments have not only fostered international collaboration in science and technology but have also created invaluable opportunities for developing countries to take part in the new wave of technological revolution.
One of the most tangible impacts of this cooperation can be seen in agriculture, where China has shared advanced farming technologies with African nations, significantly boosting local crop yields by 30 to 60 percent and enhancing their food security levels.
Such technological sharing reflects China’s support for and assistance to developing countries while also showcasing the crucial role of BRI science and technology cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Through scientific and technological collaboration, China and its partner countries can jointly tackle global issues like climate change, environmental protection, and resource utilization, providing strong scientific and technological support for global sustainable development.
Moreover, in an era characterized by unprecedented technological progress, the practical significance of BRI scientific cooperation has become even more prominent. As technological advancements reshape the global economic landscape and intensify competition among major powers, some countries are attempting to restrict the development of others through policies of erecting “small yards with high fences” in the technology sector. This unilateral and protectionist approach not only hinders global scientific and technological progress but also poses a threat to the development rights and interests of developing countries.
In this context, BRI science and technology cooperation is committed to promoting and popularizing key emerging technologies, enabling developing countries to keep pace with the global scientific and technological revolution and ensuring the fairness and accessibility of industrial transformation. In the digital economy field, China and its partner countries are jointly building 5G communication networks and developing e-commerce, allowing people in remote areas to enjoy the convenience of the digital age.
In the new-energy sector, they are working to develop clean energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower, helping developing countries break free from their dependence on traditional energy sources and achieve green and sustainable development. These cooperation projects have broken technological barriers, leveling the playing field for developing countries in emerging industries and safeguarding their development interests.
Despite the positive impacts of the BRI, Western media outlets and think tanks have constantly hyped the so-called “debt trap diplomacy.” A recent report released by the Lowy Institute in Australia is a typical example. Yet, anyone with a basic understanding of the BRI can clearly see the important role that BRI infrastructure investments have played in enhancing the economic development capabilities of countries along the route.
Many BRI projects have entered the harvesting stage and are injecting sustained momentum into local economic development. The key issue at present is not debt but how to further improve the quality of cooperation and bring projects more in line with the development needs of various countries.
This is precisely why China is actively promoting the upgrading of the BRI. By strengthening science and technology cooperation, more scientific and technological achievements can be applied to fields such as infrastructure construction, industrial development, and improved living standards, enabling countries along the BRI routes to truly gain greater development dividends from the initiative.