In response to the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) and to promote international collaboration in architectural technology for green development while enhancing the quality of talent development, the Silk Road International Conference on Architecture and Technology, hosted by XAUAT, was held in Xi’an on October 20th, 2023. Experts and scholars from 23 countries along the Silk Road came together under the theme “Building a Better Home for All.”

     Distinguished attendees included Sun Ke, Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and CPC party member; Li Nan, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology and Information of the Ministry of Education; Chen Xin, Secondary Inspector of the Department of Standard and Quota of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Professor Wang Xiaodong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Honorary President of Xinjiang Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd.; Professor Liu Jiaping, CAE Academician and Director of State Key Laboratory of Green Building; Professor Wang Fuming, CAE Academician, President of Bestdr Infrastructure Hospital, Director of Huanghe Laboratory (Henan), and professor at Sun Yat-sen University and Zhengzhou University; Professor Chen Jun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, former Director and Chief Engineer of National Geomatics Center of China; Professor Liu Jiaping, CAE Academician, Director of State Key Laboratory of High Performance Civil Engineering Materials, and Professor at Southeast University; Wang Shusheng, Deputy Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of Education and Director of Education Department of Shaanxi Provincial Government; Zhang Xiaofeng, Director of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Zhao Xinyong, Senior Inspector of Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission; Han Kaixing, Deputy Director of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Gao Jinxiao, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government; Li Zhao’e, Executive Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Provincial Association for Science and Technology; Wang Kai, National Master Designer of Engineering Survey and President of China Academy of Urban Planning and Design; Shi Nan, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of China Urban Planning Association; relevant officials from China Association of Construction Education and Shaanxi Civil Engineering and Architecture Society; and Zhu Xiaowei, Party Secretary of CPC XAUAT Committee and Zhao Xiangmo, President of XAUAT. More than 300 representatives from SRIAATU’s member institutions, sister universities, enterprises, and faculty and students were also present.

     In his welcoming remark, Sun extended warm congratulations on behalf of Shaanxi Province for the successful conference opening. He emphasized that the ancient Silk Road, spanning time and regions, has connected the East and West. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of BRI, administrators, scholars from universities along the Silk Road, and veteran experts in architectural technology have gathered in Xi’an. They share and exchange ideas on scientific research, talent training, discipline development, cultural heritage, and social services under the theme “Building a Better Home for All.” This collective effort is a practical response to BRI and President Xi’s idea of building a community with a shared future for humankind. It is intended to advance the architectural technology industry, enhance people's overall well-being along the Silk Road, and contribute to a better living environment for humanity. It’s hoped that all shall be engaged in an extensive exchange of ideas, establish collaborative mechanisms, and jointly explore new models for promoting cooperative endeavors among education, talent, innovation, and industry. This endeavor aims to facilitate the seamless connection of the value chains among education, skills, and industry. It is intended to provide valuable insights for constructing a better living environment along the Silk Road and significantly contribute to the comprehensive integration into the “Belt and Road” framework, promoting high-quality regional economic and social development.

     On behalf of China’s Ministry of Education, Director Li warmly congratulated the convening of the conference. He emphasized that development is a perpetual theme for humanity, and innovation is a vital force for progress. The interconnectedness and cooperation among countries along the Silk Road demand considerable professionals in architecture and cutting-edge technologies. Themed “Building a Better Home for All,” this conference aims to facilitate discussions and exchanges on cultivating architectural talents and technological innovation. It’s expected to ignite new impetus among countries along the Silk Road, thus maintaining significance for enhancing people’s well-being. Li also noted that open collaboration is the fundamental feature of world-class universities and the key to their success. Transformation and innovation in higher education require partnerships in seeking exchanges, breakthroughs in establishing collaborations, and development in overcoming obstacles. It’s hoped that members of the “Alliance” could engage in innovative models for collaboration, strengthen the bonds of cooperation, and yield collaborative achievements. Through deepened interactions and expanded partnerships, more could be contributed to a brighter future for collaboration in higher education under BRI.