Reports highlight Macau’s contributions to enhancing China’s cooperation with PSCs

Two reports related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) indicate that Macau has made significant contributions to enhancing cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries and advancing the initiative’s objectives.

During the opening ceremony of the 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, held last week, the China International Contractors Association released two key reports: this year’s “Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index” and the “Report on Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Infrastructure Development Index and Macao’s Achievements in the Belt and Road Initiative.”

According to the two reports, infrastructure development trends in Portuguese-speaking countries are encouraging, with the index rising from 125 in 2023 to 126 in 2024.

Fang Qiuchen, chairman of the China International Contractors Association, emphasized that the SAR has played a vital role in the Belt and Road Initiative, stating, “Macau is deeply integrated into the national development strategy and is actively expanding international cooperation. As a platform for China’s trade and economic collaboration, Macau has consistently strengthened ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, making significant contributions to the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.”

In terms of Macau’s achievements in the Belt and Road Initiative, the reports recognize that the city has effectively integrated into the broader Chinese national development framework.

“It has actively promoted the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Macao-Guangdong In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, while providing high-quality services to support China-Portugal economic and trade cooperation.”

The reports also commend Macau’s progress in enhancing various Belt and Road cooperation mechanisms and steadily improving its professional services and collaborative development capacity.

However, Macau is recommended to further consolidate its economic recovery momentum, better integrate into the national development framework, and establish high-level platforms for international engagement.

Additionally, the reports noted that the Belt and Road Initiative’s infrastructure development index has continued to rise, indicating steady growth in the global infrastructure industry. The overall infrastructure development index for the 75 Belt and Road Initiative partner countries increased from 119 in 2023 to 120 in 2024.

Southeast Asia maintains its position as the top-ranked region globally for multiple consecutive years, with its index this year standing at 128. Meanwhile, the ranking of the Latin America and Caribbean region has also improved.

The index highlights strong demand in the transportation and power sectors, with more than 1,100 ongoing projects in these areas across Belt and Road countries, involving over USD150 billion in investments, according to the reports.