China to set up 50 joint laboratories along B&R

China will set up 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance cooperation on innovation, President Xi Jinping said Sunday.[Special coverage]

"We will launch the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan," Xi said at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The action plan 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.

In the next five years, China will offer young foreign scientists 2,500 short-term research visits to China and train 5,000 foreign scientists, engineers and managers.

China will also set up a big data service platform on ecological and environmental protection, and proposes the establishment of an international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road and will provide support to related countries in adapting to climate change.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.