Half of all long-span bridges built in past 5 years located in China

Half of the whole world’s long-span bridges constructed in the past five years were built in China, CCTV.com reported on June 9.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

According to statistics from China’s Ministry of Transport, China has built six of the world's bridges that span seas, seven of the top 10 cable-stayed bridges and six of the top 10 suspension bridges - all in the past five years.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, currently under construction, will be 55 kilometers long and include a 6.7-kilometer underwater tunnel. Set to link Zhuhai in Guangdong province with Hong Kong and Macau, it will be the longest sea-spanning bridge of its kind anywhere in the world.

Once in operation, the four-hour drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai will be reduced to half an hour. Chinese scientists have already addressed many problems in the course of the bridge's construction, navigating the threat of super typhoons and protecting the bridge from the impact of currents.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

In addition, China has set many more world records in bridge construction, including the world’s highest bridge (Beipanjiang Bridge) and the world’s first full steel concrete truss bridge (Ganhaizi Super Major Bridge).

Ge Yaojun, vice chairman of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, noted that, with the development of the "Belt and Road" initiative, China is set to make even greater progress in bridge construction in the next five to 10 years.