Abstract:At present, the innovation network is transforming from a "big global world" to a "small regional world". It is of great practical significance and academic value to study the Belt and Road innovation network. Based on the zero expansion negative binomial model, the results show that " innovation volume", "connectivity" and "intellectual property protection" are the three major factors affecting innovation cooperation. Better IPR protection and better connectivity will help Belt and Road countries enhance innovation cooperation. The empirical study combined with network analysis further reveals that innovation cooperation in peripheral countries is more likely to be affected by "intellectual property protection level" and "connectivity level", while core countries pay more attention to the "innovation volume" of partner countries. The moderating effect regression results show that enhancing the "level of connectivity" can help to form national trust and reduce the dependence of innovation cooperation on formal institutions, which is of great significance to developing countries.