Northwest China's Gansu Province has launched a scholarship program for students from countries in the "Belt and Road" regional trade and infrastructure network.

From 2016, Gansu will allocate 5 million yuan (760,000 US dollars) a year to fund students to study at universities in the province, its education department said on Tuesday.

The Belt and Road passes through more than 60 countries and regions. Currently, the number of Belt and Road students in Gansu stands at 609, accounting for 60 percent of overseas students studying in the province.

The scholarship program will boost cultural exchanges in the region, said Wang Jiayi, director of the education department.