The Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, also known as Forum Macao, held on June 8 at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel’s Cotai Expo, a “Seminar on Infrastructure Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, with support from the China International Contractors Association and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.
The Seminar was part of Forum Macao’s effort to boost cooperation and interconnection between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries on infrastructure construction, and to work together on planning strategies and management methods while fostering cooperation opportunities,
The event had approximately 100 participants, including officials, experts and academics from Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking Countries and Macao, as well as representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, and from the China International Contractors Association. Other attendees included participants in two other seminars held by the Permanent Secretariat, and business people.
In her welcoming speech, Forum Macao’s Secretary-General Ms Yu Yingzhen emphasised that infrastructure was one of the most long-standing and high-priority areas for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The sector had been mentioned in relation to 18 measures announced by the Chinese Government at the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in October 2016. There had been reference to the need to “intensify cooperation” with Portuguese-speaking Countries regarding “infrastructure planning and construction,” in order to improve “interconnection”. The Secretary-General saw the Seminar on Infrastructure Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries as a chance for all parties to approach new cooperation opportunities and new ideas on infrastructure construction, in order to bring added benefits to those living in China and in the Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Throughout the Seminar, those present exchanged views on a range of issues, including their experience regarding infrastructure construction and development, technology exchange, and Macau’s platform role. They also discussed ways of finding integrated approaches to cooperation.
The Seminar was divided into two sessions. The first was presided over by Deputy Secretary-General Mr Ding Tian and had guests from Brazil, Cabo Verde and Mainland China giving presentations on the infrastructure sector and its role in promoting economic growth. The second session was presided over by Deputy Secretary-General Mr Rodrigo Brum, with officials and company representatives from Mozambique, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Portugal and Mainland China coming forward to talk about new investments regarding ports infrastructure.
This Seminar was one of the most important initiatives of Forum Macao since the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao. It took the subject of cooperation between the Forum Macao member-states on infrastructure as the main topic. Being able to host the Seminar on Infrastructure Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and to do so during the 9th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum held in Macao, was of a particular importance and significance.
TheSeminar was aimed at making the most of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and the new opportunities created by cooperation on infrastructure construction, production capacity and the financial sector. The Seminar was also conducted under the principle of “respect for the interests of the governments and private sectors from the countries involved, compliance with market rules, pragmatism, gradual progress, and mutually-beneficial development”.
It utilised Forum Macao’s multilateral mechanism and Macao’s role as a Financial Services Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, while simultaneously integrating the advantages of Macao’s role as a Service Platform for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, in order to promote pragmatic exchanges and close cooperation between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries regarding infrastructure construction.
