The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) officially opened to traffic on Wednesday, after almost nine years of construction.

　　A view of the world's longest cross-sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province, 6 September 2018. [Photo: IC]

　　The 55km-long bridge is the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world.

　　Its main section includes 23 kilometers of bridges, 6.7 kilometers of tunnels, and two artificial islands.

　　The bridge was officially opened on Tuesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping making the announcement in a ceremony in south China's Guangdong Province.

　　Once operational, HZMB will slash travel time between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Zhuhai City from three hours to just 30 minutes, further integrating the cities in the Pearl River Delta.

　　The first batch of buses that will run on the the world's longest cross-sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, in Hong Kong, China, October 24 2018. [Photo:VCG]

　　It will also help improve personnel and trade exchanges between Hong Kong SAR, Guangdong Province, and Macao SAR, benefit the development of the area and enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta.