Sun Qixin, vice-chairman of the CPPCC Shaanxi Committee and president of Northwest A&F University gives an address at the launching ceremony. Photo: Northwest A&F University

Photo: Qi Xuchun, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee at the unveiling of the Alliance. Photo: Northwest A&F University

On November 5, 2016, proposed and sponsored by Northwest A&F University, more than 125 delegates from China, Russia and 10 countries along the Silk Road in Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and Europe joined together in A&F where they signed the Yangling Declaration, and codetermined to establish the Silkroad Innovation Alliance for Agri-education & Research (hereafter referred to as the Alliance). Qi Xuchun, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee attended the ceremony and helped unveil the Alliance, initiating the new phase of the collaboration between agricultural institutions along the Silk Road.

The Alliance defines itself as a non-governmental, non-profit, international and open multilateral cooperation platform for volunteering agriculture universities, institutions and enterprises in countries and regions along the Road. Advocating themes including peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefits, and win-win advancing, the alliance is dedicated to promoting integrated ties between members in talent cultivation, scientific research, technology extension, cultural exchange and policy making, while facilitating agri-education and technological progress for Silk Road countries through constructing a platform for cooperation, refining coordination systems and beefing up resource sharing.

The Alliance proposed hosting regular Silkroad Agri-education & Research Collaboration Forums with the themes of multilateral or bilateral communication and consultation over major issues of national and public concern for the member countries, inspiring them to probe into jointly establishing education and research organizations, technology innovation platforms, technology extension bases and Silk Road cultural exchange centers, all amplifying the collaboration effect.

Speaking at the founding ceremony were Professor Sun Qixin, vice-chairman of the CPPCC Shaanxi Committee and president of Northwest A&F University, Mr Hou Lihong, deputy director of the MOST Department of Rural Science and Technology, Mr Jiang Wensheng, deputy director of the MOA Department of Science and Technology, and President Juliu Boli Jef of Kazakhstan National Agricultural University. A&F Vice President Luo Jun announced the signing of the Yangling Declaration and Zhao Zhong, standing deputy secretary of the CPC A&F Committee, presided over the ceremony. 

On November 6, the first member congress of the Alliance approved the Regulation of the Alliance, staffed its standing council, and enacted the Action Planning of the Alliance. 

The members reached a consensus that they would launch cooperation in four fields: talent training, scientific research and technology promotion, cultural exchanges and policy and regulation research. The members will actively expand overseas student bases in fellow Silk Road countries, strengthen professional and technical talents and broaden international cooperative education. The members will build a platform for Silk Road agricultural academic exchange, focus on key fields and cooperative research, and jointly launch technology promotions targeting local agricultural development demands. The members will expand cultural exchanges, broaden exchange channels, enhance friendship, launch diversified cultural exchange activities and explore construction of the Silk Road civilization exchange center. The members are encouraged to launch cooperative research and discussions on policies, laws and regulations relating to agriculture, and provide suggestions for decision making on development and improvement of the policies and laws for governments of the countries along the Silk Road.