The 2025 Belt and Road Key and Core Technology Achievement Trade Fair & Shaanxi Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity Conference commenced on Nov 7 at iHarbour in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

Representatives from government, domestic and international universities, leading enterprises, investment institutions, and international technology commercialization organizations gathered to discuss frontier developments, release innovative achievements, and sign cooperation projects.

Qodirzoda Farhod Anvar, vice-president of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, said this conference provides a crucial platform for promoting scientific, technological, and educational cooperation between China and Tajikistan.

Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, both sides have deepened cultural and people-to-people exchanges through initiatives such as joint talent cultivation, with hundreds of Chinese students planning to study Tajikistan’s language and culture.

He expressed hope to expand scientific research cooperation with Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) in areas such as green energy, aiming to advance scientific research and talent cultivation by learning from China's experiences.

Soliev Farrukh Yunusovich, head of the e-commerce regulation department at the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, remarked that this conference establishes a multi-party collaborative platform, demonstrating XJTU's leading role as a regional innovation hub.

He also stated that he looks forward to establishing a normalized cooperation mechanism between Tajikistan and XJTU in areas such as digital technology and the commercialization of innovative achievements, jointly promoting the digital transformation and sustainable development of the Central Asian region through the combined efforts of enterprises, government, and scientific research institutions.

Charymuhammet Shallyyev, director of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute, praised the conference's strategic foresight and practical value. He noted that the conference offered an excellent opportunity for all participants, especially representatives from Central Asian countries, to establish cooperation and pave the way for future collaboration in education, science, and technology.

He expressed anticipation for deepening scientific research and talent cultivation cooperation with XJTU across multiple fields to jointly foster new development.

Yerassyl Dulatbai, vice-rector of Shakarim University, said that preliminary achievements have been made since the two universities established a partnership in April this year. He believes that exchange and cooperation in electrical automation will be a key driver of the intelligent, modern transformation of Kazakhstan's logistics and warehousing systems. He hopes to witness more technological breakthroughs at this conference and to work hand in hand with all parties towards a brighter future.

Anarbaev Maksarbek, vice-rector of the International University of Kyrgyzstan, said that the conference brings together top experts in energy and green development, providing a critical opportunity to deepen regional cooperation and collectively plan for a green future.

He emphasized that XJTU's strong scientific research capabilities in areas like clean energy and energy storage provide a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation. He looks forward to jointly establishing laboratories in the future to provide a platform for young scientists to conduct scientific research and commercialize their achievements.

Heiko Topol, head of the strategy, research, and development cooperation department at New Uzbekistan University, said that the conference showcases China's advanced experience and spirit of openness and sharing in scientific and technological innovation, providing crucial support for Central Asian countries in promoting energy transition and upgrading engineering technology.

He stated that New Uzbekistan University will focus on core areas such as energy and engineering technology, deepening cooperation with XJTU through initiatives like joint laboratories and the development of interdisciplinary courses to promote industry-education integration and serve the development of new productive forces.