The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, opened in 2018, has cemented its status as the Greater Bay Area's connectivity powerhouse. This November, during the 15th National Games, it played multiple starring roles, showcasing how infrastructure and innovation can unite three regions.
A highlight? The men's individual road cycling race traced a 231.8-kilometer loop across the bridge, linking Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Riders experienced seamless border crossings and "zero-brake" fast customs clearance, thanks to newly introduced cross-border license plate medical support vehicles and "three-region joint" command units that underscore the power of "soft connectivity."
Behind the scenes, advanced RFID systems at the Guangdong-Hong Kong and Guangdong-Macao boundaries recorded each vehicle and athlete in real time. These updates, coupled with insights from the Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Marine Infrastructure, demonstrated the bridge's technological backbone-and hinted at the future of smart links across borders.
Beyond sports, the bridge acted as a catalyst for deeper integration in culture, business and travel across the three regions. For travelers and digital nomads, it means faster journeys and richer experiences; for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts, it signals new opportunities in cross-border innovation; for thought leaders, it's a living case study in regional cooperation.
As the dust settles on the National Games, the bridge stands ready for its next challenge: powering the Greater Bay Area's next wave of growth and connection.
Reference(s):
Live: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, hub linking the Greater Bay Area
cgtn.com
