BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange that opened Monday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

In his letter, he noted that the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held, ushering in a new stage of high-quality development for the Belt and Road Initiative, of which sci-tech cooperation is an important part.

"China will carry forward the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit; fully implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, and advance international sci-tech innovation exchanges," Xi said in the letter.

He added that China is willing to work with other countries to tap the potential for innovative growth, unleash the potential of innovation cooperation, strengthen innovation partnerships, and promote innovation achievements to benefit people from all countries, thereby, making contributions to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

Themed "Together for Innovation, Development for All," the conference is co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, China Association for Science and Technology, Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and Sichuan Provincial People's Government.