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Model for something big between two systems and beyond

Published on 10/24 2018  Source: China Daily

 

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a modern Wonder of the World, also has set a standard for inter-governmental cooperation under the "one country, two systems" principle, even across international borders, says Su Quanke, chief engineer of the HZMB Authority. 

Su, speaking with China Daily, pointed out two more of China's massive development projects: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. "During more than 14 years of preparatory work and construction, the HZMB Authority came up with multiple inspirational ideas, directly under the influence of inter-governmental project management," Su said. 

The mega-bridge has been a cooperative effort all the way. Governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the east, and the Macao SAR and Zhuhai on the west played essential roles in developing the project. 

The HZMB Authority, designated as the sole operator of the bridge, was established under authority of the three local governments. The three administrations apply different standards for engineering developments. Yet despite the potential for sheer chaos, there was a consensus, that the world's longest sea crossing must maintain the highest standards for bridge construction in order for it to stand as a peerless example of bridge construction. 

"All the experience we collected through cross-government cooperation under 'one country, two systems', including talents, the management mechanism, the coordination of technical standards, public bidding, decision making, financingmay apply to other infrastructure projects," Su said. 

"The HZMB Authority is a cross-government management entity, and it could surely play greater roles in the future development of the Greater Bay Area." 

Infrastructure is also the priority for development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Su noted. He said the management experience of HZMB could be used along the reignited Silk Road, the country's most ambitious international development strategy, drawing together nations from Asia and across Europe. 

The joint cooperation among three administrations could stand as a template for other cross-border developments, even between different countries and regions under the BRI, Su said. 

He commented that the HZMB Authority is compiling 63 books, summarizing technical standards for the bridge. The books' contents will include standards for cross-boundary projects, the pattern of a 120-year lifespan for the mega infrastructure, more than 400 original patents and over 300 landmark achievements in scientific research in civil engineering. 

The first 20 books will be published this year. The contents will be applicable to the BRI, Su said. 

"This would mark the beginning of Chinese standards going global," Su said. "We have confidence in exporting our enterprises and standards." 

As Su put it, the country's success in the Bay Area and the BRI will benefit from the roadmap set out by the experience and technological development from the HZMB.