(The photo of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge)

China is home to over half of the world’s long-span bridges and possesses eight of the world’s top-ten highest bridges, showing off the country’s strong comprehensive national power, according to data released by the Ministry of Transportation.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea bridge, is expected to be finished by the end of this year. China has spent close to $14 billion over seven years building the mammoth overpass that stretches 55 kilometers, called “one of the seven wonders of the modern world” by the Guardian. Designed with the latest engineering technology, the structures can withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, a super typhoon, or a strike by a 300,000-ton cargo vessel.

(The photo of the Beipan River Bridge)

In addition, the world’s highest Beipan River Bridge, which is equal in height with a 200-story building, was built in China’s Guizhou province. The Ganhaizi Bridge in Sichuan province is the world’s longest concrete-filled steel tubular truss bridge, which is supported by the world’s highest reinforced lattice piers. According to the Ministry of Transportation, more than half of the cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges higher than 400-meters are in China.

The records of world’s highest, longest, and fastest-built bridges were broken by China one by one in recent years. The world’s longest-span highway and railway bridges, the Hutong Yangtze River Bridge and the world’s longest-span suspension bridge, the Second Bridge of Humen, are expected to be linked by the end of 2019.

Tongji University Professor Ge Yaojun said more breakthroughs would be achieved in five to ten years. “China is considered to be the world’s top bridge builder thanks to the development of materials and techniques,” Ge said.

Ma’anshan Yangtze River Bridge and Jiaozhou Bay Bridge were awarded the George S. Richardson Medal in the 33rd and 30th International Bridge Conference, respectively, the world’s most prestigious bridge prize. Jiashao Bridge received the Gustav Lindenthal Medal at the conference in 2013.

(The photo of Lupu Bridge)

A recent report by CNN featured some of China’s bridges, including the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong, Hangzhou Bay Bridge, China Nanpu Bridge, Lupu Bridge, and Wind and Rain Bridge in its list of the world’s 24 most amazing bridges.

Chinese bridges are considered as the new billboard to expand China’s influence.

China helps build bridges in other countries. For example, the Zemun-Borca Bridge crossing the Danube River in Serbia is the first “China Bridge” in Europe. The bridge greatly relieved traffic pressure in North Belgrade. The third bridge over the Panama Canal and the eastern part of the famous San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge were also built by China.