Zhuhai (China) (AFP) – The world’s longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China will be launched Tuesday at a time when Beijing…
Zhuhai (China) (AFP) – The world’s longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China will be launched Tuesday at a time when Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on its semi-autonomous territories.
President Xi Jinping is expected to officiate at an opening ceremony in the mainland city of Zhuhai Tuesday morning, but details of the event have been kept secret.
The 55-kilometre (34-mile) crossing, which includes a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel, links Hong Kong’s Lantau island to Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary.
It is the second major infrastructure project tying Hong Kong to mainland China to launch in a matter of weeks, after the opening of a high-speed rail link last month.
Critics say the multi-billion-dollar bridge is one more way to integrate Hong Kong into China as fears grow that the city’s cherished freedoms are being eroded.
The mega bridge will open to traffic on Wednesday, a day after the ceremony.
Building began in 2009 and has been dogged by delays, budget overruns, corruption prosecutions and the deaths of construction workers.
