Bridge to the Future: Greater Bay Area mega-bridge bringing economic change

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04:11

China's landscape has been dramatically transformed over the years through major economic and technological development. Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in southern China's 'Greater Bay Area' where a marvel of engineering now connects the mega-cities of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao. And as CGTN's Sean Callebs reports this huge bridge is more than just a physical alteration.

No matter what language, it is clear fishing is a tough way to make a living.

Back-breaking work and the reward is the fish, prawns, and other seafood the bay surrenders. A local icon, fisher girl, stands sentinel on waters edge. A testimony to the labor force that built Zhuhai.

20-years-ago, Mr. Li, as he wants to be known, retired from the military, and had no job prospects.

"I came here with no money in my pocket in order to make a living and raise a family. it seemed that fishing was the only choice I had."

His weathered face has seen the landscape change dramatically. He says the old way is giving way to the new. Chiefly, due to this new bridge and under-water tunnel that reaches out from Zhuhai. The longest sea crossing bridge and fixed link in the world.

SEAN CALLEBS ZHUHAI "Even on a day when swells are more than a meter, and mist is kicking off the water, it is hard not to be in awe of one of China's latest engineering marvels. You are looking at a massive bridge that spans more than 50-kilometers, connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao. And, as much as anything this is a testimony to how far China has come in more than 40-years."

The buses just keep rolling up, one after another. Legions of people eager to go to Macao, or Hong Kong. None of this even imaginable before reforms began.

"There is no comparison between the days before reform and opening up. Our country has been growing faster and stronger. We are gaining attention and focus around the world and respect as well."

It is more than a physical link between the three areas. It's a source of pride as well.

"There is nothing China can't do."

Han Ming is just returning from an economic forum in Hong Kong. Of course, he took lots of pictures and videos along the route, but he believes the lasting benefits are economic. Han, expects property values to rise in Zhuhai, and to live on the mainland and work in Hong Kong.

"It will be a lot easier, it will shorten the time to 40-minutes from Hong Kong to China mainland."

YU LIEHZMB BRIDGE AUTHORITY DEPUTY DIRECTOR "For us we felt excited, but had some doubts because of the scale and complexity of the bridge."

Deputy Administrator of the HZMB Authority, as it is called, Yu Lie is one of the originally 13 employees working on the project since it was first discussed back in 2003.

YU LIE HZMB BRIDGE AUTHORITY DEPUTY DIRECTOR "We came across many difficulties back then, thus we went to many countries and regions to examine similar projects and bridges, and we invited experts here as well."

Yu says, even as reforms began a generation ago, some questioned whether ferries and docks should give way to bridges and highway. That was then. Now, there is a bridge built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons.

"This place has changed a lot before there was nothing here but a small fishing village, but it is being replaced as a big tourist city, more people are coming here for better living conditions."

After rubbing shoulders with development. Li openly wonders what growth will do to the region's fishing industry, now that the old and the new share the horizon in Zhuhai. Sean Callebs, CGTN, in Zhuhai.