Chinese consortium bridges key gap to rejuvenate Croatia

ZAGREB - This spring is quite unusual for residents of Komarna, a small village in southern Croatia known for its wines, oysters and peacefulness.

Resounding metallic bangs now echo in the narrow bay between Komarna and the Peljesac Peninsula. A huge pile-driving barge from China has been knocking steel piles as long as 130 meters into the Adriatic seabed since January. A bridge is being built.

About 70 km farther south, the city of Dubrovnik is warming up for another tourist season. The ancient town is the main filming location for King's Landing in blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones and has become a must-go destination for visitors to the southeastern European country, whose economy depends heavily on tourism.