Chengdu Declaration on Jointly Building the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Community
We highly commend the significant achievements made under the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation(STI) Cooperation Action Plan. We emphasize that only through collective efforts at a larger scale across the world, science, technology and innovation can be elevated to a higher level. We are willing to jointly build an innovation-driven, openand inclusive, fairand equitable, universally beneficial and sustainable Belt and Road STI Community to bring prosperity to all. This will drive high-quality development of the Silk Roadof innovation, provide broader new opportunities for the development of all countries, and bring greater benefits to humanity.
I. Jointly address common challenges withinnovation-driven development
We recognize that in the face of global challenges such as climate change, public health, environmental protection, energy security, food security, and poverty, the only way forward is for countries to work together.
We are willing to, based on the experience and needs of various countries in driving sustainable socio-economic development with innovation, strengthen STI policy communication, share development experience and best practices, and jointly implement Belt and Road Special Cooperation Program for Sustainable Development Technology.
We are willing to support research institutions, universities, companies, and think tanks from various countries in establishing cooperation networks and mechanisms for deep integration of industry, academia, and research, and strengthening joint R&D and technology diffusion in important sci-tech fields, as a way to jointly address global challenges through STI and advance the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
II. Jointly seize historic opportunities presented by technological revolution and industrial transformation to promote integrated development of technological and industrial innovation
We recognize that the rapid development of emerging technologies such as AI and quantum technology will have a profound impact on human society, driving technological progress and industrial transformation.
We are willing to actively engage in sci-tech exchanges and joint research with countries in frontier fields, build Belt and Road joint labs, implement Belt and Road Special Cooperation Programs for AI and Spatial Information Science and Technology, and promote the development and application of cutting-edge technologies.
We are willing to work with countries to explore the empowering role of emerging technologies, collaborate on Belt and Road science parks, push forward coordinated digital and green transformation, and advance the integration of technological and industrial innovation. Together, we will consolidate cooperation in traditional fields through STI, expand cooperation in emerging fields, and inject strong momentum into economic development of all countries.
III. Jointly bridge the divide in science and technology for shared prosperity and progress
We uphold the principle of harnessing sci-tech achievements for the benefit of all humanity, and champion a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, with a view to ensuring universal access to growth opportunities, promoting diverse development paths, and bridging the gaps in technology, digital access and AI.
We stand ready to address the development needs of Belt and Road partner countries, and actively engage in technology transfer based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. We will jointly implement the Belt and Road Special Cooperation Program on Poverty Alleviation through Science and Technology, boost global flow of knowledge and technology, support developing countries in building up their science and technology capacities, help them address poverty and development challenges through science, technology and innovation and advance the development and rejuvenation of the Global South.
We will jointly implement the Belt and Road Special Cooperation Program on Traditional Chinese Medicine, harness STI for the preservation of cultural heritage, and enhance mutual learning between traditional medicine systems, contributing to better life and health of all.
IV. Jointly build a strong network for innovation partnership and foster young researchers and innovators
We recognize that young researchers and innovators are key forces shaping the future of humanity, and it is a shared vision of all countries to build a close network for sci-tech exchanges and cooperation and enhance interactions between young researchers.
We support researchers of Belt and Road partner countries in working together to address key research challenges, and encourage active participation in the global Scientific Research Fund launched by China. We will work together to foster a long-term, stable cooperation network among partner research institutes, implement a Belt and Road STI Partnership Program for Young People, and train researchers and innovators in diverse fields.
We will expand Belt and Road sci-tech people-to-people exchanges, particularly academic exchanges and technology training programs for young researchers, to promote their mutual learning and the sharing of STI outcomes.
V. Jointly improve global science and technology governance to ensure sci-tech advances benefit all
We reiterate that harnessing science and technology for peaceful purposes is an inalienable right under the international law. We support the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on promoting international cooperation on peaceful uses in the context of international security, on International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) and on enhancing international cooperation in artificial intelligence capacity-building, and endorse the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science and other initiatives. We reject the attempt to abuse the concept of security and politicize sci-tech cooperation, and work to promote the free flow of researchers, innovators and sci-tech resources across the globe, respect research ethics, foster tech for good, and uphold the diversity, inclusiveness and sustainability of scientific practices. All these efforts aim to create an open, inclusive, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for sci-tech development.
We actively support the science, technology and innovation of the Global South countries, unlock collective wisdom to explore sci-tech solutions for them to combat global challenges, and safeguard the technology security, equity and justice of developing countries in the international community. We will work hand in hand with the Global South countries on our path to modernization.
We’re acutely aware that the effective delivery of this Declaration requires our concerted efforts. We look forward to the active response from global stakeholders, including governments, and scientific and industrial communities. Together, we will make solid progress in the development of the Silk Road of innovation, contributing sci-tech strength to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.