The Belt and Road Initiative's science and technology cooperation projects are an important component of the initiative, aiming to promote technological development and application capacity building among participating countries through practical cooperation in the field of science and technology innovation. Several specific cooperation programs have already been launched; the following is an introduction to two key projects.

I. "Belt and Road" Spatial Information Technology Special Cooperation Plan

The plan was initiated by China in October 2023 during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and was included in the list of practical cooperation projects announced by the forum. Its core is to promote collaborative innovation and application in related technological fields among participating countries, using spatial information connectivity as a link.

• Core areas of cooperation: These mainly include four areas: building a transnational data sharing platform; conducting joint research on technologies such as satellite remote sensing, geographic information, and navigation and positioning; implementing space technology application demonstration projects in fields such as disaster prevention and mitigation, smart cities, and precision agriculture; and strengthening the training of professional talents and scientific and cultural exchanges.

• Implementation Path and Positioning: The plan aims to promote collaborative technological innovation through the establishment of joint laboratories and the promotion of mutual recognition of technical standards (e.g., facilitating compatibility and interoperability between the BeiDou system and navigation facilities in participating countries). Positioned as a "pioneer project for technology-enabled development," the plan seeks to enhance the connectivity of space information infrastructure and strengthen the application capabilities of participating countries in areas such as digital governance and emergency management.

II. Belt and Road Initiative Artificial Intelligence Technology Innovation Special Cooperation Plan

The program was officially launched on June 11, 2025, at the Second Belt and Road Science and Technology Exchange Conference held in Chengdu, and is a key project under the "Strategic Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation" initiative. Its goal is to build a long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship in artificial intelligence science and technology.

• Scope and Content of Cooperation: The plan prioritizes support for cooperation with 13 partner countries, including Egypt, South Africa, and Indonesia. Priority funding areas include multilingual and multimodal large-scale models, unmanned systems and intelligent equipment, AI-enabled scientific research, and key applications in intelligent industrial and social scenarios. Cooperation will encompass regular joint research projects and the establishment of Sino-foreign joint laboratories, with emphasis on supporting developing countries in strengthening their comprehensive AI capabilities through technology transfer and personnel training.

• Funding Scale and Requirements‌: The program plans to fund a total of 28 projects, with central government funding not exceeding 69 million yuan‌2. Project evaluation criteria include mutual visits between Chinese and foreign teams, training of foreign personnel, and the organization of international academic exchange activities.

These specialized cooperation initiatives follow a step-by-step approach, progressing from high-level initiatives and platform development to the implementation of specific projects. They embody the principles of practical results and shared development inherent in science and technology cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, and are committed to jointly addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development through technological collaboration, demonstration projects, and capacity building