China to Establish Research Center on Central Asia Regional Sci & Tec Issues

A joint research project led by three Chinese research institutions on international science and technology cooperation platform was initiated on Nov. 22 in Urumuqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 

The project was jointly conducted by the CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia supported by Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fudan University and Peking University. 

This is a move echoing China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, aiming to improve the scientific cooperation and communication system between China and the countries in Central Asia. Further and sound cooperation will help achieve sustainable development in this area. 

“It’s an attempt of new cooperation mode, combining civil cooperation with international cooperation, combining social sciences with natural sciences, and basic researches with practical researches. This will be a move of mutual advantages and mutual development,” said CHEN Xi, director of XIEG. 

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21 Century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, are a land-based belt from China via Central Asia and Russia to Europe, and a maritime route through the Strait of Malacca to India, the Middle East and East Africa.  

The Belt and Road Initiative is a way for win-win cooperation that promotes common development and prosperity and a road towards peace and friendship by enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening all-around exchanges.