The International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) initiative is proposed by the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) with its partner higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries in Africa and Asia-Pacific, and its partner enterprises and HEIs in China. The proposal is developed based on the framework of Belt & Road initiative of talent cultivation and establishment of mechanisms for cooperative development across countries that draws on the Silk Road Spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”.