China has opened the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland, a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance.
Independent.ie Newsdesk Twitter Email
October 23 2018 8:26 AM
China has opened the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland, a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance.
Chinese president Xi Jinping presided over a ceremony in the city of Zhuhai to open the 34 mile-long (55km) bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities looked on.
The £15 billion bridge took almost a decade to build while incurring major delays and cost overruns.
It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to pass through the Pearl River delta, the heart of China’s crucial manufacturing sector.
The bridge will cut travel time across the delta from several hours to just 30 minutes, something China hopes will bind the region together as a major driver of future economic growth.
Heavily regulated traffic using permits issued under a quota system will begin flowing on Wednesday.
The bridge forms a physical link between the mainland and Hong Kong, an Asian financial hub that was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997 with the assurance it would maintain its own legal and economic system for 50 years.
That carries major political significance for Mr Xi’s administration, which has rejected calls for political liberalisation in Hong Kong, sparking fears Beijing will clamp down further on civil liberties before the end of the « one country, two systems » arrangement in 2047.
The bridge’s opening also comes a month after the inauguration of a new high-speed rail link from Hong Kong to mainland China that runs along a different, shorter route.
That line has vastly decreased travel times but also raised concerns about Beijing’s growing influence because mainland Chinese law applies within part of the line’s Hong Kong terminus.
Press Association
Hyonhee Shin in Seoul North and South Korea and the UN Command (UNC) have agreed to withdraw firearms and guard posts in the demilitarised zone village of Panmunjom this week, Seoul’s defence ministry has said, the latest move in a fast-improving relationship.
Michelle Jamrisko From a luxury spa in central Bangkok, Wei Siang Yu hopes to lure Thailand’s latest tourist target: couples needing a bit of extra magic to make babies.
Ralph Jennings One of Taiwan’s fastest passenger trains derailed on a curve, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 175 others.
North and South Korea and the UN Command (UNC) have agreed to withdraw firearms…
A study of human faeces from around the world…
If there were any remaining doubts about the…
From a luxury spa in central Bangkok, Wei Siang Yu hopes to lure Thailand’s latest…
Emmanuel Macron has ordered that ceremonies in France marking the centenary of the end…
Donald Trump yesterday said he will « now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely…
David Lawrence had just settled into seat 22F when he…
‘Take Me Out’ host Paddy McGuinness and England…
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has issued a national apology to…
Australian actor Geoffrey Rush said he was distraught when he read newspaper articles…
Man United striker Romelu Lukaku says that Cristiano Ronaldo’s
A shopfront was damaged in a blast after…
The world’s longest cross-sea bridge, the…
Video of Malaga’s flooded streets filmed by…
At least 22 people were killed and 171 others…
Ryanair has reported a passenger to police…
President Donald Trump says he will pull the…
At least 670,000 people turned out for the…
Saudi Arabia’s announcement that suspects are…
Theresa May has confirmed she is ready to…
Emergency services continue to battle a huge fire in…
