Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to benefit the region

Photo taken on August 25, 2017 shows a view of the world's longest cross-sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, under construction against Hong Kong's Lantau Island in the background. [Photo: IC]

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge opens on Wednesday. People involved in the project hail the achievement for the cooperation required between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.

Guangdong Development and Reform Commission Director Ge Changwei says the bridge will be managed under the cooperation of the three regional governments that built it- Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

"During the nearly nine-year construction, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao cooperated closely and successfully conquered many difficulties due to different legal systems and construction management systems, and offered referential experience and models in the exploration of the three-party cooperation under the 'one country, two systems' principle," says Ge Changwei.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is seen in Hong Kong, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. The bridge, the world's longest cross-sea project, which has a total length of 55 kilometers (34 miles), will have opening ceremony in Zhuhai on Oct. 23. [Photo: AP/Kin Cheung]

The 55-kilometer-long bridge has a service life of 120 years. 

Bridge Authority Chief Engineer Su Quanke says the bridge was built under unanimous standards and plans, and under the supervision of the three parties.

"Hong Kong and Macao participated in the engineering management, and offered many suggestions on improving quality in details, which played a very important role. We adopted their suggestions and learnt from them as long as it was good for the project," says Su Quanke.

Regional cooperation has also brought new immigration inspection methods. A new mode of "cooperative inspection and once-and-for-all clearance" will be conducted at the Zhuhai-Macao border crossing of the bridge.

Senior immigration inspection official Tan Zhiwei says the new mode will significantly improve efficiency.

"Closely combined inspection facilities have been installed so that passengers need only to queue once and receive one inspection and finish immigration inspection procedures from both mainland and Macao within 20 to 30 seconds."

The bridge and tunnel system across the Lingdingyang waters of the Pearl River Estuary will cut the travelling time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macao from three hours to about 30 minutes.

Photo taken on October 10, 2018 shows the bridge towers of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Guangdong Province. The world's longest sea bridge will be officially put into service on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Zhang Jin]

Bridge Authority Director Zhu Yongling says the project will benefit Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

"After the bridge starts operation, the travelling costs for taking a detour through the land routes can be avoided. Therefore, the bridge will help to optimize the distribution of industries, raise the competitiveness of the region, and benefit logistics and tourism."

The bridge is also believed to lay a good foundation for the development of the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area", which is considered a new highlight in China's economy.