Abstract:Scientific and technological talents are critical resources to China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Although China is the most favorable destination country for overseas students in Asia, it is facing increasing global competition for talents, especially from the developed countries that have introduced policies to attract international students and scientific and technological innovation talents, China highly needs to figure out how to attract more high-quality foreign students and talents, and how to cultivate more innovation talents to serve the Belt and Road development. This study first evaluates science and education rankings of the Belt and Road countries and regions and China. It also analyzes data of international students from the Belt and Road countries and regions to China. A survey toward the students of the Belt and Road countries and regions is conducted to understand the factors they consider in choosing oversea study country. Based on the findings, four key approaches for training scientific and technological innovation talents are put forward, including the establishment of the Belt and Road overseas talent training centers, the selection and training of overseas young scientists, the recruitment of selective students, and the implementation of high-end training in science and innovation management. Policy recommendations are put forward as well.