Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: Hong Kong businesses anticipate benefits of world's longest sea crossing

World
Europe

02:08

Businesses in Hong Kong are already eyeing the opportunities the bridge could bring. CGTN's Patrick Fok has the story.

Right by the Boundary Crossing Facility for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is Tung Chung New Town.

It's popular among tourists because it's where you'll find Hong Kong's largest outlet mall.

Citygate is currently undergoing a facelift and is adding an extension that will increase retail space and double the number of F&B outlets on offer here.

STELLA KWAN MANAGING DIRETOR, NGONG PING 360 "We are creating a hub that is good for tourists and also convenient to the local people in the Tung Chung area. "

Tung Chung is also the starting point for the The Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

It connects passengers to major tourist attractions including the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha.

Its operators estimate the new bridge could increase visitor numbers by as much as 10%.

STELLA KWAN MANAGING DIRETOR, NGONG PING 360 "From our cable car, every day when you ride on it you can actually see the construction of it, so we have a special passion and relationship with the bridge because we see it every day."

PATRICK FOK HONG KONG "The vast majority of tourists that come to Tung Chung are from cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, to the north of Hong Kong, but businesses are betting on the bridge bringing in an influx of visitors from western Guangdong."

Right now, it takes around four hours to travel from Hong Kong to Zhuhai on land.

The bridge is expected to cut that down to just over one hour.

But the new link is poised to plenty other benefits besides added tourists.

INNES TANG CO-CHAIRMAN, POLITIHK SOCIAL STRATEGIC "Actually, it creates a three-hour commuting radius to mainland China, it means it may also be part of the answer to our land limitations. With the high-speed rail and with this bridge we are able to live in mainland China and work in Hong Kong, it creates a new frontier."

Still, the announcement of the bridge opening just a few days ago took many by surprise.

Bus and coach operators are scrambling to prepare themselves.

There are still concerns about potential congestion around Tung Chung and the Airport, and it may take time for Hong Kong to reap the benefits of this key component of Greater Bay integration. PATRICK FOK, CGTN, HONG KONG.