Experts from

China's mainland, Hong Kong and Macao have recommended San Shek Wan on Lantau, Gong Bei in Zhuhai and Pearl in Macao as the landing points of the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hong Kong's Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao said on Saturday.

The National Development and Reform Commission invited 10 experts from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to a two-day meeting in Zhuhai to explore the feasibility of different bridge proposals.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Liao said experts have come to the conclusion after thorough discussions and detailed site visits.

 

She said the recommendation will be submitted to relevant mainland authorities for approval, adding the bridge project's advance work co-ordination group held its fifth meeting to discuss the way forward.

 

The construction of the bridge will shorten the distance between Hong Kong and the cities on the western side of the Pearl River, such as Zhaoqing, Shunde, Foshan, Jiangmen and Zhuhai.

 

Hong Kong's pillar industries such as finance, tourism, services and logistics will expand their markets to the western side of the Pearl River.

 

Economists say the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will not only create a miracle in the bridge construction history, but also push forward the development of the Pearl River Delta area into an economic center in Southeast Asia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2005)