The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge，file photo. (Photo/Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday morning announced the opening of a new bridge connecting the mainland city of Zhuhai, and the two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao.
The 55km-long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world's longest sea crossing, opened to traffic on Wednesday.
"I declare the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge officially opened," Xi said.
The president made the announcement in an opening ceremony in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.
China's Vice Premier Han Zheng, Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying, both vice chairmen of China's top political advisory body, Guangdong Communist Party of China chief Li Xi, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Fernando Chui, also attended the ceremony.
The massive project includes a road bridge and underwater tunnel linking Zhuhai to Hong Kong's Lantau Island and Macao across the waters of the Pearl River Delta. It will reduce the travel time from Zhuhai to Hong Kong to 30 minutes from three hours.
