China inaugurates world's longest sea-crossing bridge
The 55km bridge connecting Hong Kong - Macau - mainland China is expected to boost the economic center to compete with Silicon Valley.
"I declare the official inauguration of the Hong Kong-Macau-Mainland China Bridge," Chinese President Xi Jinping said this morning at a ceremony on an artificial island in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, followed by fireworks on a digital screen, according toSCMP.
China began construction of this 55km-long sea-crossing bridge in 2009 with an investment of billions of dollars, aiming to reduce travel time from Hong Kong to Zhuhai from three hours to 30 minutes.
This is currently the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng affirmed that the bridge will facilitate the development of the "one country, two systems" policy.
"It facilitates greater economic and trade exchanges between people in the three regions, enhancing the competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta," said Mr. Han.
The 55-km bridge is a new milestone in Beijing's efforts to create a "Greater Bay Area", a technology-led economic hub comprising Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities, rivaling America's Silicon Valley in California.
