Xi urges greater effort on cross-border infrastructure

Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan (right) briefs President Xi Jinping (center) and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge during the president's inspection of the road link on Saturday. [Photo/INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT]

President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged more effort to ensure smooth progress on major infrastructure projects in Hong Kong as he inspected the construction sites of the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and third runway at the city's airport.

The inspections were the president's last stops before ending his three-day trip in the special administrative region to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

At the bridge construction site Xi expressed appreciation for all those who had contributed to the project.

Xi made detailed enquiries about the bridge's construction plan, current progress and quality control measures.

He noted that the bridge is a major measure by the central government to support better development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta region.

The project also represents an important achievement of close collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the "one country, two systems" principle, he added.

The president urged active follow-up work to ensure the bridge's smooth completion and safe operation.

The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, expected to open by the end of this year, will cut driving time between Zhuhai and Hong Kong to half an hour from four hours at present.

The bridge will set a record as the world's longest cross-sea roadway.

While inspecting construction of the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport, Xi said the central government supports the building of the runway to help Hong Kong consolidate its status as a global aviation hub and improve its overall competitiveness.

He said efforts must be made to ensure safe and efficient construction of the project, and maximize its benefits after completion.

To cope with air traffic growth and maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international aviation hub, a three-runway system project at Hong Kong International Airport was launched last year. The airport has a two-runway system at present.

Construction of the third runway started on Aug 1. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

By 2030, the airport will be able to handle about 100 million passengers and 9 million tons of cargo each year, according to the airport.

Apart from road and air links, a high-speed railway is also under construction to boost connections between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link is expected to open next year. The railway should cut traveling time between Guangzhou and Hong Kong to 48 minutes.

Starting from West Kowloon, the Hong Kong section of the rail link is about 26 km long and will run along a dedicated underground rail tunnel to the mainland border near Lok Ma Chau for connection with the mainland section of the Express Rail Link.