Policy Timeline
This timeline compiles a selection of accessible policy documents and official materials related to China’s Belt and Road science, technology, and innovation cooperation. While not exhaustive, these policies are organized into six thematic categories and arranged chronologically within each category.
1. Agenda-Setting and Political Frameworks
| Date | Policy document | Initiated / Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road | President Xi Jinping |
| 2015-03 | Joining Hands to Build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road – Vision and Actions | National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) |
| 2017-05 | The Chinese government proposes to launch the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, including the Science and Technology People-to-People Exchange Initiative, the Joint Laboratory Initiative, the Science Park Cooperation Initiative and the Technology Transfer Initiative | President Xi Jinping |
| 2023-10-18 | Global AI Governance Initiative | |
| 2023-11-24 | Vision and Actions for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Brighter Prospects for the Next Decade | Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative |
2. Science Cooperation Plans and Core Policy Instruments
3. Operational, Administrative, and Project Implementation Documents
4. Sectoral Implementation by Government Departments
| Date | Policy document | Initiated / Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-10-22 | Action Plan for Standards Connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, 2015–2017 | Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative |
| 2016-07 | Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative | Ministry of Education (MOE) |
| 2016-12-26 | Development Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine under the Belt and Road Initiative, 2016–2020 | National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM); National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) |
| 2017-03 | Ministry of Culture’s Action Plan for Cultural Development under the Belt and Road Initiative, 2016–2020 | Ministry of Culture |
| 2017-04-06 | Notice on the Nationwide Implementation of the Work Permit System for Foreigners in China | State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA); Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security; Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); Ministry of Public Security |
| 2017-04-13 | National Science and Technology Talent Development Plan for the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan Period | Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) |
| 2017-04-26 | Guidance on Promoting the Green Belt and Road | Ministry of Environmental Protection; Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) |
| 2017-05 | Vision and Actions on Jointly Promoting Agricultural Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative | Ministry of Agriculture; National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) |
| 2017-05 | Vision and Actions on Energy Cooperation in Jointly Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road | National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); National Energy Administration (NEA) |
| 2017-05-14 | Action Plan for Chinese Social Organizations to Promote People-to-People Connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, 2017–2020 | China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) |
| 2017-05-14 | Belt and Road Ecological and Environmental Cooperation Plan | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) |
| 2017-05-14 | Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road | Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China; finance ministries of 26 countries |
| 2017-06-01 | Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China | The 24th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) |
| 2017-06-20 | Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative | National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); State Oceanic Administration (SOA) |
| 2017-09-26 | Plan for Building a National Technology Transfer System | State Council |
| 2017-12-20 | Guidance on Advancing Postal Services in Support of the Belt and Road Initiative | State Post Bureau |
| 2018-01 | China’s Arctic Policy | State Council Information Office (SCIO) |
| 2018-01-11 | Action Plan for Standards Connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, 2018–2020 | Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative |
| 2018-11-05 | Implementation Opinions on Standardization in Industry and Information Technology in Support of the Belt and Road Initiative | Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) |
| 2018-11-12 | Action Plan for Higher Education Institutions to Support the Belt and Road Initiative through Science and Technology Innovation | Ministry of Education (MOE) |
| 2021-10-20 | Opinions on Further Strengthening Biodiversity Conservation | General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee; General Office of the State Council |
| 2021-10-24 | Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before 2030 | State Council |
| 2021-12-30 | National Emergency Response System Plan for the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan Period | State Council |
| 2021-12-31 | Development Plan for the High-Quality Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine into the Belt and Road Initiative, 2021–2025 | National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM); Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative |
| 2022-01-30 | Opinions on Improving the Institutions, Mechanisms, and Policy Measures for a Green and Low-Carbon Energy Transition | National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); National Energy Administration (NEA) |
| 2022-03-16 | Opinions on Promoting Green Development under the Belt and Road Initiative | National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE); Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) |
| 2025-05-13 | Policy Measures to Accelerate the Development of a Science and Technology Finance System in Support of High-Level Self-Reliance and Strength | Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST); People’s Bank of China (PBOC); National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA); China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC); National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Finance (MOF); State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) |
| 2025-08-14 | Decision of the State Council to Amend the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners | State Council |
5. International and Regional Cooperation Documents
6. Outcome Reporting, Policy Explanation, and Agenda Renewal
Last updated: August 13, 2026.