Countries eye infrastructure links with China, forum told

Many of China's partners from around the world said they are highly willing to continue to collaborate with Beijing in various aspects of infrastructure, including renewable energy, connectivity, and finance.

The desire to deepen cooperation was made clear on the final day of the 15th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in Macao on June 21.

The three-day forum saw officials, diplomats, company heads, and experts from around the world gather together to explore the potential for developing new energy and fostering connectivity in infrastructure development.

Sri Lanka's Minister for Urban Development and Housing Arundika Fernando thanked China for helping the country cope with its economic crisis. More importantly, he said, Sri Lanka hopes to strengthen collaboration with China in both financial and non-financial areas.

Fernando was speaking at a forum on "International Engineering Smart Digitalization Development", Fernando said that his main task is to further develop Sri Lanka's infrastructure.

"For example, the light rail project is actually a good link with the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises so it will be a good opportunity to develop it in Sri Lanka," he said.

"We very much look forward to finding a cost-effective way to bring the light rail project to fruition."

Samoa's Ambassador to China Luamanuvae Albert Mariner, said that last year's COP28 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, concluded with some positive outcomes but more remains to be done regarding renewable energy.

Mariner was speaking at a parallel forum titled "New Quality Productive Forces Empowering the High-Quality Development of Global New Energy".

He commended the speed and scale of expansion of China's installed renewable energy capacity.

"The net effect of this impressive scale of China's renewables sector output has driven down prices worldwide, and has reduced the cost barrier to developing countries accessing such technology and expertise, in its ongoing efforts to transition to clean energy," Mariner said.

He focused on Samoa and China's bilateral relations in environmental protection and economic development.

"I believe China has a lot to offer for Samoa, all the Small Island Developing States and members of the Global South, in our national efforts to transition to clean energy, through partnership and accessing affordable financing," Mariner said.

Cabinet Secretary of Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen said that to enhance connectivity domestically and wider Africa, Kenya continues to participate in the China-supported Belt and Road Initiative, which is an adaptable and multidimensional effort that incorporates many projects.

The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway is one such project in Kenya that was financed under the BRI, he noted during the "International Infrastructure Project Dispute Resolution & Legal Service Forum".