National and Regional Studies Research Platform
Platform Overview
The Belt and Road Initiative Research Network (BRIRN) is an open, international platform for academic research and policy exchange focused on the Global South and countries along the Belt and Road. As a national, regional, and country-specific research platform, BRIRN integrates the resources of international think tanks, universities, and research institutions to advance systematic, data-driven, and comparative studies on regional politics, economics, society, culture, and sustainable development.
The platform aims to serve as an intellectual bridge between China and other countries by supporting policymaking, academic research, and people-to-people dialogue through collaborative inquiry and shared knowledge production.
Covering fields such as political science, economics, sociology, international law, public health, education, cultural studies, energy, and environmental science, BRIRN emphasizes interdisciplinary and cross-cultural cooperation, promoting knowledge sharing and policy innovation.
Core Missions
1. Serving National Strategy and Global Governance
Through systematic studies of Belt and Road countries, BRIRN seeks to deepen understanding of each nation’s political systems, social structures, economic policies, and cultural traditions. The goal is to provide decision-making insights and think tank support for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and for contributions to global governance.
2. Promoting Cross-Cultural and Academic Exchange
The Network builds collaborative mechanisms among Chinese and international universities, think tanks, and research institutions, fostering academic dialogue, joint field studies, faculty and student exchanges, and international conferences to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding.
3. Developing an Open Research Data and Knowledge Platform
Grounded in the principles of digitalization and open science, BRIRN is establishing a Regional and Country Studies Database that consolidates field data, policy analyses, academic papers, and expert reports—encouraging data transparency, knowledge accessibility, and policy applications.
4. Integrating Traditional and Modern Knowledge Systems
The platform encourages the study of each country’s traditional culture, medicine, education, and social practices, exploring how local knowledge systems can inspire innovation in modern governance, sustainable development, and cultural diplomacy.
Key Functions
1. Regional and Country Research
Organizes multinational academic teams to conduct long-term fieldwork, data analysis, and policy studies in key regions and countries. Outputs include the Regional and Country Research Report Series, Development Observation White Papers, and Policy Recommendation Papers.
2. Academic Resource Matching and Research Collaboration
Provides project-matching services for universities, research institutes, and policy organizations, helping teams identify international funding opportunities, government programs, and corporate partnerships for collaborative research.
3. Academic Training and Youth Development Program
Establishes the Belt and Road Young Scholars Program to support early-career researchers in conducting field studies and publishing work in areas such as regional studies, international relations, and public governance.
4. International Conferences and Public Diplomacy
Regularly hosts the Belt and Road Regional Studies Forum, academic symposia, and policy roundtables to foster dialogue among experts, policymakers, and cultural representatives, enhancing cross-cultural understanding and international cooperation.
5. Traditional Culture and Medicine Exchange Projects
Promotes research and dissemination of traditional culture, medicine, and indigenous knowledge systems among Belt and Road countries, encouraging cultural diversity, mutual learning, and epistemic equality.
Research Focus Areas
- Political Systems and Governance Structures
- Regional Economic Cooperation and Industrial Chain Restructuring
- Public Health and Social Protection Systems
- Education Policy and Youth Development
- Traditional Culture and Social Identity
- Green Energy and Sustainable Development
- Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Policy
- International Law and Human Rights Mechanisms
Vision for Development
Through systematic research and cross-sector collaboration, the Belt and Road Initiative Research Network (BRIRN) strives to become:
- An academic center of excellence for policy research in the Global South;
- A key bridge for academic and policy dialogue between China and other nations;
- A think tank hub advancing the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Humankind.
We believe that understanding diversity, respecting difference, and building shared knowledge are the fundamental pathways to global cooperation and sustainable development.