The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has broken many records in becoming the world's longest cross-sea project. Its construction started in 2009, and was one of the most complex projects in China's history. The complicated geological conditions meant engineers had no precedent to follow. The bridge's many tests and trials even included a super typhoon from Mother Nature. CGTN's He WeiWei recaps its records and important construction breakthroughs.

A milestone for southern China. The main section of the project includes 23 kilometers of bridge, 7 kilometers of tunnel, and two artificial islands. It has broken several world records. It's the world's longest sea-based project, has the world's deepest underwater tunnel; and it took over 400 thousand tons of steel to build.

JIANG XIAOXIA, SENIOR ENGINEER HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAO BRIDGE AUTHORITY "The construction came together like building blocks. Numerous segments were prefabricated in factories, then transported to the construction site for assembly. It required great precision, leaving builders little margin for error, but it guarantees better building quality."

The super bridge took its final shape gradually: In June of 2016, the two ends of the main bridge were linked. In May of 2017, the final segment of the underwater tunnel was installed. And on New Year's Eve, the lights were switched on, hailing the bridge's completion as 2018 began.

YU LIE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAO BRIDGE AUTHORITY "We've overcome many difficulties and proved our skills in construction management, technological innovation, large equipment development, as well as environmental protection and quality control."

HE WEIWEI ZHUHAI "After six years of design and eight years of construction, engineers of this super bridge achieved a lot of technical breakthroughs, that makes China a leading country in the world in building mega cross-sea projects."

The bridge was jointly built by Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, and follows the most strict standards adopted by the three regions. In September of 2018, a rare super typhoon hit Guangdong Province, yet the bridge withstood the gusts as expected.

ZHANG JINWEN, ENGINEERING DIRECTOR HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAO BRIDGE AUTHORITY "The bridge is designed to resist typhoons with wind speeds up to 250 kilometers an hour. We conducted wind tunnel tests and made special designs accordingly. For example, we reinforced the bridge's structure, and we have special facilities to suppress vibration and reduce the wind's effects."

The super project is designed to last at least 120 years. HE WEIWEI, CGTN, ZHUHAI.