World's Longest 34 Miles Sea Crossing: China opens bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai city

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The 34 miles crossing, which is 55-kilometre approximately, is the world's longest road bridge and underwater tunnel to link Hong Kong's Lantau island to China's one of the most modern cities -Zhuhai with the so called gambling den of Macau.

China's President -Xi Jinping launched the world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China on Tuesday. But the bridge will open to regular traffic on Wednesday.

The opening ceremony was held at a new port terminal in the southern mainland city of Zhuhai along with the leaders of Hong Kong and Macau.

"I declare the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge officially open," Xi said as digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him in an indoor ceremony, before leaving the stage immediately. He did not address the audience.

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam had earlier spoken to thank Xi for attending in person, praising the bridge's "magnificence".

Coming back to the specifications of the bridge, the sea-link has been built across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary. The bridge is specially designed to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons. It was built using 400,000 tonnes of steel, enough to build 60 Eiffel Towers.

Since Hong Kong is an autonomous territory, one reason behind this project was to connect Hong Kong and Macau with the mainland.

Another reason behind building this bridge is to cut down the travelling time by around 3 hours between Zhuhai and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong residents will only be granted a licence to cross into Zhuhai by car if they meet highly selective criteria, including holding certain mainland government positions or making major contributions to charities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.

Most people will need to travel the bridge on coaches and buses.

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