China, BRI partner countries make remarkable sci-tech achivements: vice-minister

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sci-tech cooperation between China and partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led to a wide array of achievements over the past eight years since the launch of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, said Chen Jiachang, China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, launched in 2017, consists of the Science and Technology People-to-People Exchange Initiative, the Joint Laboratory Initiative, the Science Park Cooperation Initiative and the Technology Transfer Initiative.

"As of now, China has signed intergovernmental sci-tech cooperation agreements with over 80 BRI partner countries, leveraging the leading role of bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to form a comprehensive and multi-level sci-tech innovation cooperation network. In fields such as agriculture, new energy, and public health, China and the relevant partner countries have established a total of more than 70 BRI joint laboratories, continuously expanding the scope of joint research and enhancing the scientific research capabilities of BRI partner countries," said Chen at a press conference on the upcoming second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange.

The conference will be held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, from June 10 to 12.

It aims to strengthen communication, build consensus, and deepen cooperation, providing strong sci-tech support for the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road.

The vice-minister said China and BRI partner countries have formed a sci-tech cooperative network and enhanced exchanges in a trail of domains.

"In in-depth implementation of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, and in efforts to promote coordinated development of industry, education, research and application, we have worked to foster a network with partner countries for cooperation in industry, education, research and application. Currently, 10 international technology transfer centers oriented toward BRI partner countries have been established in regions including Guangxi, Yunnan, Ningxia, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong, and the Chengdu-Chongqing area, in keeping deepening cooperation in technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship. We actively support young scientists from partner countries in conducting short-term research and exchanges in China. The program now covers over 80 percent of the BRI partner countries, spanning fields such as modern agriculture, life and health, ecological environment, and materials science," said the official.

China, BRI partner countries make remarkable sci-tech achivements: vice-minister

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that the situation in waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, urging vessels in the area to take maximum caution.

"The situation continues to be volatile. Ships should take maximum caution and not take risks without security guarantees," the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the information released on the IMO website, as of April 19, a total of 24 attacks on ships in the affected waters had been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.

The IMO, the United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that with the U.S. repeatedly violating ceasefire deals and posing threats to Iran’s ports and vessels, a unilateral return to normal shipping remains out of reach.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Central Command claimed in a social media post that the U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since its blockade on navigation through the Strait starting April 13.

However, according to a report released from Lloyd's List on Monday, at least 26 vessels involved in Iranian shipping had managed to break through the U.S. blockade.

IMO urges ships near Strait of Hormuz to be on maximum alert