On October 28, the opening ceremony of the 2021 Silk Road International Conference on Industry-University-Research Cooperation was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Vice Minister of Education Tian Xuejun delivered a video message.

Tian pointed out that the Conference had provided a forum for stakeholders from all sectors to explore innovative talent training models, and commercialize research and business propositions through mutually beneficial arrangements. Underlining the theme of the Conference “Joint development through innovation and cooperation”, the minister hailed innovation as key to addressing developmental challenges, and cooperation as the best means of exploiting emerging opportunities. He urged all stakeholders to seek synergy and focus on the quality and application of research, and benefit-sharing.

During the Conference, over 1,000 experts from Chinese and foreign universities, enterprises and research institutes exchanged views in five specialized fields, including energy and chemicals, aerospace, new materials, ecological protection in China’s highland areas and development of the Yellow River Basin, and the protection, development and exploitation of traditional culture. The event also saw the conclusion of 13 cooperation agreements, the inauguration of 12 international joint research centers and workstations, and the official launch of the “Belt and Road” Education Cooperation and Exchange Mechanism.