On June 11, the 11th China–Portuguese-Speaking Countries Infrastructure Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), with support from the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), was held at the Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao. Held during the 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum & Exhibition (IIICF) in Macao, the forum focused on the high-quality development of infrastructure cooperation between China, Macao, and Portuguese-speaking countries, exploring new advancements through enhanced applications of green, digital, and intelligent technologies.

Speeches were delivered by Ji Xianzheng, Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of the CHINCA; Vincent U, President of the IPIM; João Osvaldo Machatine, Director of the Office of Reforms and Structuring Projects of the Presidency of the Mozambique Office for Reform and Structural Projects at the Presidency of Mozambique; and Yang Yue, Vice Chairperson of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Over 140 participants attended, including representatives from government departments in mainland China and Macao, officials and consuls from Portuguese-speaking countries in Macao, representatives from enterprises in China, Portuguese-speaking countries, and Macao, and all members of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.

Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng noted that the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation, signed at the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in April 2024, reaffirmed priority cooperation in infrastructure sectors such as transportation, information and communication, electricity, and water conservancy. It supports enterprises from Forum member countries participating in construction through integrated investment, construction, and operation models. Infrastructure development effectively drives goods trade, services trade, and people-to-people exchanges. It also emphasizes continued joint efforts to promote a multilateral trading system and advance economic globalization. Currently, economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries continues to integrate deeply, with the trade volume exceeding $225 billion in 2024, China’s cumulative investment stock in Portuguese-speaking countries reaching $80 billion, contracted engineering projects totaling $140 billion in turnover, and the Portuguese-speaking Countries’ infrastructure development index rising to 125 points, maintaining growth for four consecutive years, demonstrating strong development momentum and cooperation prospects.

The first panel discussion, moderated by Ambrose So Shu Fai, Director General of the International Forum for Clean Energy (Macao) (IFCE), featured guests including João Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water of Angola; the Minister of Infrastructure, Land Management, and Housing of Cabo Verde; and João Jorge Matlombe, Minister of Transport and Logistics of Mozambique. They explored sustainable infrastructure cooperation areas and future opportunities for China–Portuguese infrastructure collaboration under the context of green economy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence development, engaging in in-depth discussions on promoting the green, digital, and intelligent transformation of infrastructure projects.

The second panel discussion, moderated by Ho Wai Ip, Member of the Board of Directors of the Macau Institute of Management, featured panelists including Zhang Jian, General Director of China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Investment Management Co., Ltd.; Zhang Jingfang, President of International CRSC Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.; Li Wei, Managing Director of the Energy and Infrastructure Sector for Asia at Standard Bank Group; and Liu Xinmin, President of the Technology Strategy Department and Vice President of New H3C Group. They shared the competitive advantages of Chinese enterprises in green, digital, and intelligent infrastructure, as well as approaches to applying these in infrastructure cooperation projects with Portuguese-speaking countries. They also highlighted risks to mitigate and exchanged views on cooperation models and financing channels, collectively envisioning broad prospects for sustainable infrastructure cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

During the 16th IIICF, the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao also organized the achievements exhibition on the results of the infrastructure cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, showcasing cooperation outcomes and investment opportunities. Additionally, the “Colloquium on Infrastructure Investment and Construction between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” was held, providing an effective platform for experience sharing and practical cooperation.