#China #Beijing #Global Science #Sci-Tech Cooperation

China Expands Global Sci-Tech Partnerships for Shared Future

In June 2025, China took significant strides in enhancing its global scientific partnerships, aiming at a future where shared progress is at the forefront of international collaboration. Embracing principles of openness and mutual benefit, the nation has established connections with more than 160 countries and regions. This initiative includes signing 119 intergovernmental agreements dedicated to scientific and technological cooperation and engaging actively in over 200 international organizations.

Building Global Platforms for Research

One of the foremost examples of this collaborative spirit is the work being conducted at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Here, astrophysicist Ma Yinzhe collaborates with Chinese scientists to manage data from the massive Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, widely regarded as the world's largest radio telescope. Supported by ten nations, including South Africa and China, the SKA is expected to advance fields including computing and telecommunications.

China’s scientific infrastructure also serves as a pivotal point for global collaboration. Take for instance the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), known for its open data-sharing platform, which has garnered participation from researchers across numerous nations. According to former FAST chief scientist Li Di, international cooperation is inherently linked to FAST's operational strategy. Notably, Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation contributed to the telescope's development, and since its 2021 launch, it has fostered research networks in crucial fields like pulsars and fast radio bursts.

A recent achievement demonstrated this collaborative effort when a team from Tsinghua University, alongside scientists from Italy, Australia, and Germany, successfully conducted a pulsar polarization survey using data from both FAST and South Africa's MeerKAT telescope array. This advancement underscores the potential of international collaboration in astronomical research.

Engaging in Global Scientific Initiatives

China's influence on the global scientific stage is further illustrated by its role in various major international science initiatives. By exporting products from the BeiDou navigation system to over 140 countries and actively inviting global scientists to participate in the China Space Station and the International Lunar Research Station, China is positioning itself as a central hub for scientific dialogue.

Moreover, collaboration extends to community and environmental research as Chinese research vessels carry international scholars for ocean explorations. Initiatives like