Group photo of the First International Science Forum of National Scientific Organizations on the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, November 7 to 8. (Image by CAS)

20 national scientific and research organizations from countries and regions along the Belt and Road issued a declaration on November 8, establishing an alliance of international scientists to promote cross-border cooperation.

The declaration was made after a two-day forum in Beijing attended by more than 350 scientists from 40 countries and regions.

“The declaration not only represents the scientists' and research organizations' willingness to strengthen international cooperation among countries and regions along the Belt and Road, but also includes mechanisms that will enhance cooperation," said Tan Tieniu, vice-president of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The mechanisms include biennial forums, multilateral personnel exchanges, student training programs and joint scientific research projects.

"CAS has been expanding cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road since 2013, and proposed this international scientific alliance, so we hope to play a leading role in the cooperation," Tan added.

The academy started a project in 2013 that offers 200 full scholarships per year to overseas candidates.

"Science and innovation not only holds the promise of solutions to complex scientific challenges in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, but can also be of significant value to the upgrading of the capacity and quality of cooperation between China and other countries," said CAS President Bai Chunli.

"Scientific organizations, scientists and experts from diverse backgrounds should enhance their efforts and cooperation in developing communities of common interests, responsibility and goals, and in providing a strong scientific basis for construction of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

Scientific organizations that issued the declaration include the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Source: China Daily