SHENZHEN, China, 29 August 2003 — China yesterday started construction on an economically important bridge linking Hong Kong and the southern China boom city Shenzhen, which will have a capacity almost double three existing crossings.
Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa said at a foundation-laying ceremony that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor would greatly ease congestion between the two hubs.
“We estimate that in 2006, an average of 65,000 vehicles will need to pass border crossings every day, far exceeding the daily capacity of 42,000 vehicles of the three existing crossings (combined),” Tung said.
Hong Kong’s government expects the bridge to enhance trade between the territory and southern China, facilitating development of the finance, logistics and tourism sectors.
“The Western Corridor will provide an additional capacity of 80,000 vehicles daily, raising the overall daily cross-border capacity to 122,000 vehicles,” Tung said.
Chinese and Hong Kong leaders are separately considering plans to build a bridge linking Hong Kong to Zhuhai in mainland China and Macau, in a $2 billion project driven by Beijing’s desire to boost Hong Kong’s economy and develop the western Pearl River Delta region.
Moves to bolster trade and foster closer ties between the mainland and Hong Kong have been put on a fast track by Beijing after angry protests in July against Tung’s handling of an anti-subversion measure, the economy and SARS.
Beijing is hoping that a revival in economic fortunes in the territory may dissipate some of the social unrest and calls for greater democracy.