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. ALSO READ: Macao launches Environment Day program 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