China strengthening science park cooperation with BRI countries

China is intensifying efforts to deepen science park cooperation with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, as part of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) to promote high-quality international cooperation on scientific and technological innovation.

The move comes as China now has 179 national high-tech zones, which have become key drivers of deep integration between technological and industrial innovation, as well as primary bases for high-tech industrial development. In 2025, these zones generated a total GDP of 20.4 trillion yuan ($2.99 trillion), accounting for 14.5 percent of China's GDP, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Speaking at a news conference held by the ministry on Friday, Lyu Xianzhi, director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center, told China Daily that national high-tech zones are deepening cooperation with countries and regions involved in the initiative in areas such as technological innovation, commercialization of achievements, and industrial collaboration, gradually forming a multi-tiered, broad international cooperation framework.

According to Lyu, the strategic cooperation mechanisms have been steadily improved. National high-tech zones have built international cooperation parks and established "sister park" relationships, strengthening multi-level exchange and cooperation mechanisms involving governments, universities, and enterprises.

"To date, we have forged strategic partnerships with parks in more than 30 countries and regions, and have set up over 100 cooperation parks in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative," Lyu said.

According to him, national high-tech zones have built joint laboratories, international technology transfer centers, innovation hubs, and cross-border incubators to facilitate joint research and development and the commercialization of achievements, while promoting talent exchanges.

This has shifted the focus of international cooperation from "attracting investment" to "attracting talent and intelligence" and "bringing in science and technology". About 150 incubation facilities have been established in countries and regions involved in initiative, he added.

In addition, national high-tech zones have advanced industrial chain investment promotion, established five Sino-foreign small and medium-sized enterprise cooperation zones, and steadily promoted international cooperation in industrial and supply chains in areas such as artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials, and biomedicine, thus boosting the global competitiveness of advantageous industries.

Looking ahead, Lyu said the next step will focus on implementing the science park cooperation action plan, strengthening overall planning, enhancing innovation-driven development, and improving service systems. Efforts will be made to accelerate the establishment of international technological and industrial cooperation platforms in qualified national high-tech zones.