On August 15-26, 2023, the “Belt and Road” science and technology training program for developing countries – the Central Asia radio-Astronomy Training workshop was hosted by Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Urumqi.  Scientist and students from universities and institutes from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, attended the workshop.

The program aims to strengthen the scientific cooperation and academic exchanges between China and the countries along the “Belt and Road”, and provide a platform for training new talents, and many students, young scientists from the countries along the route.

During the workshop, 15 young scientists from XAO gave lectures for the participants and organized telescope operation training at the Nanshan station.

Speaking at the opening session, Prof. WANG Na, director of XAO, introduced the important achievements of XAO in recent years in astronomical research frontiers, international cooperation and exchanges, research instruments and equipment development. She emphasized that as a core member of the China - Central Asia academic exchange on astronomical research, XAO warmly welcomes the young students and scientists from the countries along the Belt and Road, and wishes that they could become the main forces and play an important bridging role in scientific cooperation and development.

The workshop was not only initiated to promote and strengthen the sharing of knowledge and technology among countries along the "Belt and Road", but also to deepen the relationships between these countries.

At the closing ceremony, the participants expressed their gratitude to the training workshop, and their expectation of the continued support and cooperation from the XAO.