The 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum and Exhibition opened on Wednesday in the Macao Special Administrative Region, aiming at showcasing the SAR’s role and platform function as a “precision connector” between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries.

Two flagship infrastructure construction index reports published at the event signaled a steady recovery of the international infrastructure market and a clear long-term upward trend with indexes having continued to rise for six consecutive years.

This year’s forum, which kicked off on Wednesday and runs until Friday, is themed “Boosting Green Digital Infrastructure Connectivity”, and brings together a total of over 3,500 participants, including nearly 60 ministerial‑level guests from over 70 countries and regions.

Addressing the event’s opening ceremony on Thursday, Tam Vai-man, the SAR’s secretary for transport and public works, said the forum, with over a decade of experience, has become a premier global event in infrastructure cooperation, facilitating the city in diversifying its economy and leveraging its unique role as a “precise connector” for China-Portuguese-speaking countries cooperation.

He said that this year’s forum, which is focused on green and digital technologies, aligns with Macao’s “1+4” diversification strategy and its third five-year plan, which is being drafted to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

“Looking ahead, we hope to deepen cooperation among all parties in the field of international infrastructure construction featuring green development and digital transformation, consolidating the foundation for mutually beneficial and shared development, and demonstrating the Macao SAR's important role as an international exchange platform in the country's high-level opening up and the Belt and Road Initiative," Tam said.

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Yuan Xiaoming, assistant minister of commerce of China, said in a video remark that China is a builder of global connectivity, defender of industrial and supply chain stability, and promoter of common development. In 2025, the country’s newly signed foreign contracted projects and completed turnover both hit record highs of $289.2 billion and $178.8 billion, respectively.

“China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen confidence, build consensus, and forge ahead together to create a fairer, more equitable, and sustainable ecosystem for international infrastructure cooperation, driving all parties to continuously deepen collaboration and boost the high-quality development of international infrastructure.”

Several ministerial‑level foreign guests also introduced their countries' current infrastructure construction priorities, along with their development directions and visions for green infrastructure.

Two flagship reports, the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index Report (2026) and the Report on Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Infrastructure Development Index and Macao's Achievements in Belt and Road Initiative (2026), were released during the opening ceremony.

Known as barometers of global infrastructure trends and risks, the reports show the Belt and Road infrastructure index has risen steadily for six straight years, indicating a steady recovery of the international infrastructure market and a clear long-term upward trend, said Fang Qiuchen, China International Contractors Association chairman.

With two-thirds of countries posting gains, Southeast Asia leads the recovery. Integrated source-grid-load-storage development and cross-border connectivity are creating new opportunities for new energy projects, while policy coordination provides institutional support. Portuguese-speaking countries also show steady growth, and Macao's platform role continues to strengthen.

According to the organizers, the three-day forum features more than 250 thematic and supporting activities over an exhibition area of 8,000 square meters, and aims to provide participants with an immersive exhibition landscape that covers upstream and downstream service providers across the entire infrastructure industry chain.

Ronny Hutahayan, deputy coordinating minister for Housing and Settlement Infrastructure Development of Indonesia, said high-quality cooperation should go beyond physical assets — it must transfer knowledge, raise standards, and generate lasting value for communities. “This is the spirit in which Indonesia views its partnership with China. Our relationship is already broad and substantial,” he added.

Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, minister of State in Charge of Special Initiatives under the Office of the President of Ghana, said African nations are ready to engage with China and Chinese enterprises to unlock shared prosperity, expressing confidence that such investment will lower transport costs, improve mobility, and boost economic competitiveness across the continent.

Stephen Tsang Kam-wing, minister of public works and spatial planning of Suriname, said the country is eyeing to transition into a global energy frontier, which will present vast opportunities as it requires expansion of every sector in infrastructure from road and bridges, to ports and housing in smart cities.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com