BEIJING — China's copyright trade with countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) has surged over the past three years, according to the latest research report on B&R international exchanges and cooperation on publication.

The number of copyright trade agreements that China entered into with B&R countries jumped 86.5 percent from 3,800 in 2016 to more than 7,100 in 2018, said the report, which was released by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication.

China has been in copyright trade with 83 B&R countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, North America and South America, covering books, digital publications and online literature, the report added.

The 83 countries represent nearly two-thirds of the total number of countries with which China has signed documents for B&R cooperation.