Bridge to Hong Kong lauded by Transport Minister Li

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge stands as a monument to China's infrastructure construction, the country's transport minister, Li Xiaopeng, said at the site on June 8. It attests to significant achievements made over the past six years, he added during the visit along with Guangdong’s vice governor, Yuan Baocheng.

Li stressed that as construction comes close to completion, workers should sustain momentum to ensure world-class quality of the project.

At the undersea tunnel, Li was briefed on the progress of the project, its innovations, key technologies, quality, and safety.

He also inspected the concrete architecture of the Northern Artificial Island and entered the world’s longest undersea tunnel, looking over the condition of final joint.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

The main structure of the bridge, a 55-km stretch, was completed in September 2016. Meanwhile, the undersea tunnel was being constructed using 33 prefabricated tube sections.

In May, the final tunnel section was installed. Over the past few days, cast-in-place bitumen concrete for HZMB's 22.9km main bridge has been paved.

At Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport, Li next surveyed the Nanhai No 1 Rescue Flying Service of the Ministry of Communications. He inspected rescue helicopters, helicopter hangars, and rescue equipment. He also listened to reports on task performances, major rescue cases, and air rescue abilities.

Established in 2004, the service has bases in Zhuhai and Sanya of Hainan Province. Equipped with five rescue helicopters, it is the only national maritime air rescue force in South China.

Li complimented the rescuers for service to the country, guaranteeing safety, and serving the area. He further called upon them to boost morale, technical strength, and personnel reserves so as to make further contributions to marine rescue undertakings.

Zhuhai City Mayor Li Zezhong and Vice Mayor Zhang Yisheng accompanied the national and provincial figures.