The Belt and Road Science and Technology Forum that co-organized by the Western Returned Scholars Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (WRSACAS), Xinjiang Branch. Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Xinjiang Overseas Returned Scholars Association of China, was successfully held in Beijing, from 19 December to 21 December in 2018. Cao Weizhou, Vice Secretary-General of the 12th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Vice Director of Foreign Affair Committee, Vice President of Western Return Scholars Association (WRSA, also known as Overseas-educated Scholars Association of China) and President of the China Overseas-Educated Scholars Development Foundation (COSDF), attended the forum. Li Hefeng, Executive Deputy Secretary of Chinese Academy of Sciences Party Committee, Mu Zhenjiang, Party Secretary and Deputy Dean of Xinjiang Branch. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xie Xuan, Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Party Committee, Wen Hao, President of the Western Returned Scholars Association, Xinjiang, Jilili·Abuduwaili and Xiao Guoqing, Vice Presidents of the Western Returned Scholars Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also attended the opening ceremony. There were over 150 people including representatives of overseas students and relevant experts attended the forum. The Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Secretary-General of WRSACAS Zhang-fang Zizheng hosted the opening ceremony of the forum.

Vice Secretary-General of the 12th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Vice Director of Foreign Affair Committee, Vice President of WRSA and President of COSDF Cao Weizhou, gives a speech at the forum
Director-General Cao Weizhou pointed out in his speech that WRSACAS is one of WRSA’s branches with the most intensive scientific research personnel and the strongest innovative strength and creative strength, it has special competitive advantages in aspects such as scientific and technological innovation, technological exchanges between China and foreign countries and commercialization of research findings. WRSACAS plays a vital role in promotion of the “Belt and Road” scientific and technological innovation. He expressed the wish that WRSACAS can bring overseas scholars in the system of Chinese Academy of Sciences together, hold high the banner of patriotism, focus on innovation and creation, and contribute strength to the construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
 
Li Hefeng pointed out, WRSACAS has strengthened its self-construction, led overseas students to exert their advantages of intelligence and provided advices for the construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, in accordance with the requirements of the Dean at the inaugural conference. The holding of The Belt and Road Science and Technology Forum is a vital measure to respond to the implement of the “Belt and Road” Initiative and put the construction of the “Belt and Road” technology and innovation cooperation system into practice. He encouraged overseas students to increase their political awareness and devote to the Great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. He also encouraged overseas students to take their responsibilities, make further research and study, and challenge the scientific and technological peak with the courage to be the first. He expressed the wish that WRSACAS will focus on the strategic needs and the economic development needs of the nation, exert overseas student’s advantages of intelligence and organize thematic activities. He also expressed the wish that WRSACAS can unite overseas students in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and lead them to contribute to the development of the nation. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ajilili·Abuduwaili gave a speech for President of the Western Returned Scholars Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences Yao Tandong, then, Mr. Mou Zhenjiang gave a speech on behalf of the Xinjiang Branch. Chinese Academy of Sciences.
 
The forum invited a number of experts and scholars to analyze the developing achievements of implementing the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the way to create a better future of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. A series of keynote speeches focusing on the construction of economic and social development in Xinjiang and the current economic and social development situation of the countries and regions alongside the “Belt and Road” was arranged in the forum.
 
Chen Fahu, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Director of Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research Chinese Academy of Sciences and Executive Director of the Secretariat of the “Belt and Road” International Science Organizations Alliance, made a thematic report named 《Third Pole Science, Transcontinental Communication and The Construction of Green Silk Road》. Cao Jinghua, Director of The Bureau of International Co-operation Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Wen Hao, President of the Xinjiang Overseas Returned Scholars Association of China, made thematic reports about the situation of participating in the construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Liu Weidong, Director assistant of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resource Research, CAS and Director of the “Belt and Road” Strategy Research Center, Chen Xi, Deputy Director of the Xinjiang Branch of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wang Yanfen, Deputy Party Secretary and Executive Deputy Dean of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lie Jiaqiang, Xin Jiang Institute of Ecology and Geography Chinese Academy of Sciences Wang Weiran, Deputy Director The Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics & Chemistry. CAS Pan Shilie and Deputy Dean of Xinjiang Normal University Business School, made thematic reports about the “Belt and Road” Initiative from the perspective of their respective research fields. In order to promote the growth of young overseas students and exert the function of young overseas students in the construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the forum invited three young professionals to give lectures. During the forum, the attendees also investigated National Engineering Research Center of core technologies and public welfare of traditional medicine of The Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics & Chemistry. CAS.
 
This year’s forum was the first science and technology forum which involved every employee, since the establishment of WRSACAS on October 2017. The attendees said: “this year’s forum is a high-level forum with sufficient content, it has strategic thoughts and it is also closely linked to the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative”. The attendees also said: “The forum sets up platform for us to participate in the construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative, it also promotes the exchanges between China and foreign countries, it broadens our mind”. All attendees said that they will take the forum as a chance to work harder, take their responsibilities, exert their professional advantages and provide scientific and technological support in the construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
 
(Edited by Publicity and Liaison Department)