Meeting eyes BRI upgrades for new era

Macao forum says efforts can boost sustainable development, bolster green cooperation

An infrastructure-heavy focus on upgrading the Belt and Road Initiative for a highquality new era will boost sustainable development and benefit people across developing economies, according to the 14th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF).

Running from June 1-2 in Macao Special Administrative Region, the forum focused on the role of its theme, “Green Leadership, Digital Intelligence, Financial Empowerment, Win-Win Cooperation”, in upgrading the Belt and Road Initiative to a new level.

The annual event was co-organized by the China International Contractors Association and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.

Vice-minister of Commerce Guo Tingting said China is willing to work with all parties to deepen digital infrastructure cooperation to inject new vitality into the interconnectivity stressed by the BRI.

Guo noted that the digital economy has become a new engine to promote economic growth and digital infrastructure has become an important driving force for innovation and development.

Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan noted that within the framework of its “Vision 2050” long-term development policy, Mongolia is constantly upgrading the readiness of its information and communication technology as well as its infrastructure capacity. This forms the legal environment for digitalization and reinvigorating transparency to implement the digital transition, he said.

Mike Elton Mposha, Zambia’s Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, said Zambia intends to foster economic growth and development while safeguarding natural assets to prolong the supply of resources and ensure environmental sustainability.

Within the context of sustainable development goals and our national “Vision 2030”, Zambia employs strategies that ensure that natural assets can deliver their full economic potential on a sustainable basis, he said.

At this year’s forum two reports were released: the Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2023) and the first-ever Report on Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Infrastructure Development Index and Macao’s Achievements in Belt and Road Initiative (2023). They aim to more accurately reflect the new international trends of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and highlight the role of the Macao SAR as a platform connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Fang Qiuchen, chairman of the China International Contractors Association, and Wang Wen, chief economist of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, officiated the launch ceremony of the reports. Fang also moderated the opening ceremony.

The forum’s other major events included the 9th China-LAC Infrastructure Forum, on ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, and a dozen or so forums regarding international cooperation on new energy, innovative solutions for rail transit systems, green and low-carbon water business, and international cooperation.

Other speakers at the forum included Ding Yanzhang, chairman of the Power Construction Corporation of China; Dai Hegen, chairman of the board of the China National Chemical Engineering Group Co, Ltd; and Lou Qiliang, president of the CRRC Corporation Limited.

Over 3,000 guests, more than double the figure in 2022, took part. Attendees included ministerial-level officials, senior executives of financial institutions, and representatives of international contractors, business associations and supply chain enterprises.