The opening ceremony of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge today (Tuesday) marks another milestone in Hong Kong's further integration with the motherland. The bridge is one of the three large-scale infrastructure projects scheduled for completion in the latter half of this year that would greatly enhance the special administrative region's connectivity with the mainland, especially the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Exactly a month ago the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link came into operation, linking the city with the national high-speed railway network and thereby helping the SAR fit into the big picture of national development strategy. Later in the year or early next year, the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point will process the first batch of cross-boundary travelers and boost Hong Kong's connections with its northern neighbor, Shenzhen.

With the completion of these three infrastructure projects within a matter of months, Hong Kong residents suddenly find themselves physically and psychologically much closer to their compatriots across the boundary. By facilitating traffic flow within the area, the bridge is pivotal to the inter connectivity of the 11 cities in the Bay Area.

Even before commissioning of the bridge, cross-boundary bus companies have already planned express bus routes to Macao and Zhuhai from Hong Kong, saving time for travelers crossing the Lingdingyang channel. The bridge will cut down a car trip between Hong Kong and Zhuhai from 3.5 hours to half an hour, while those who used to travel by sea may now choose to switch between land and sea transport.

One of the first sectors to benefit from the bridge will certainly be the tourism industry. With the one-hour living circle falling into place, Hong Kong residents will be able to reach holiday resorts and leisure facilities in the Bay Area in a much shorter time. They will be able to visit their relatives more frequently - especially in western Guangdong where many of them have their origins.

With an acute land and housing shortage in the SAR, the bridge will assist those who are looking for a residence or a job outside but near to Hong Kong. Those retiring in one of the Bay Area cities will also find it convenient to be well linked to their home city.

With a population of more than 60 million, the Bay Area is expected to graduate into one of the world's most well-developed bay areas. To fulfill this potential, Hong Kong investors will find it crucial to be logistically well-connected to other cities in the area. Meanwhile the SAR government is encouraging Hong Kong young people to start their businesses, especially in the innovation and technology sector, in the Bay Area. The commissioning of the bridge will certainly help all these plans by allowing the easier inter flow of goods, tourists and talents.

(HK Edition 10/23/2018 page14)