the mega structure crossing the po river delta links mainland china to an economic zone that is already one of the most dynamic in the world. it will cut the commute to and from hong kong from four hours to one. i declare the hong kong macao bridge open. the chinese president xi jinping officially opening a bridge two years behind schedule the structure includes a seven kilometer long underwater tunnel and was built to withstand earthquakes typhoons and collisions with ships but the project is not without its critics especially in hong kong some point to the project going fifteen billion euros of a budget while the territory has a deficit of affordable housing for others it symbolizes beijing's ambitions to further integrate hong kong into china and erode the city's autonomy and freedoms if not exactly necessary because hong kong is connected to mainland china in every way already by and by by sea the pearl river delta economic zone comprises eleven cities which now have hopes of a tourism boom similar to that enjoyed by casino hope. to make a bridge opens to traffic on wednesday comple