Core Viewpoint - The recent cross-border sports events in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) exemplify the region's enhanced connectivity and integration, showcasing both "hard connectivity" through infrastructure and "soft connectivity" via regulatory collaboration, ultimately fostering a sense of community among residents [1][4]. Group 1: Hard Connectivity - The infrastructure development in the GBA serves as the physical backbone for integration, with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge facilitating over 100 million passenger trips and 13.5 million vehicle crossings since its opening [2]. - The implementation of policies allowing vehicles from Hong Kong and Macao to enter mainland China, along with the introduction of "Yue vehicles" to Hong Kong, highlights the growing accessibility and traffic flow within the region [2]. - Additional infrastructure projects, such as the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge and Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel, are enhancing the transportation network, making the "one-hour living circle" a reality for residents [2]. Group 2: Soft Connectivity - The successful execution of cross-border events relies on innovative regulatory collaboration, with measures like "one matter, three regions" and "one policy, three regions" being adopted to streamline processes [3]. - Advanced technologies such as RFID, facial recognition, and Beidou positioning are utilized to ensure seamless and contactless passage for participants, achieving "zero delay, zero contact, and zero waiting" during the events [3]. - The collaboration among the three regions' governments in optimizing routes, event organization, and information sharing has set a precedent for deeper integration in various sectors beyond sports [3]. Group 3: Heart Connectivity - The participation of athletes from different regions and the shared experiences during the events foster a growing identity among residents of the GBA, as exemplified by the camaraderie displayed in team events [4]. - The emotional connection and national pride were evident during the opening ceremony, where athletes from all three regions entered together, symbolizing unity and shared identity [4]. - The GBA sports events serve as a "super connector" for regional integration, paving the way for a more open and interconnected future [4].

Core Points - The article highlights significant advancements in transportation infrastructure in China, including the expansion of railways, highways, and ports, which are expected to enhance economic connectivity and efficiency. Group 1: Transportation Infrastructure Expansion - The railway operating mileage has reached 162,000 kilometers, an increase of approximately 16,000 kilometers compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [1] - The total highway mileage has reached 5,490,000 kilometers, an increase of about 290,000 kilometers [1] - The number of port berths for vessels over 10,000 tons has reached 2,971, an increase of 379 [1] Group 2: Economic Impact of Infrastructure - Approximately 180 million people traveled across regions, and 160 million tons of goods were transported, along with 478 million express deliveries [2] - The successful construction of major underwater tunnels and bridges, such as the Jiaozhou Bay Second Undersea Tunnel and the Hangzhou Bay Cross-Sea Railway Bridge, is expected to significantly improve transportation efficiency [5][6] - The opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel has led to a high volume of traffic, with over 3 million public transport passengers crossing cities within a year, and a 15% reduction in freight distance between Shenzhen and Zhongshan, resulting in a 20% decrease in transportation costs per shipment [6] Group 3: Regional Economic Development - The opening of the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel has highlighted the regional advantages of Jiangmen, with over 11 million tourists and a tourism revenue of 11.74 billion yuan, reflecting year-on-year growth of 15.4% and 12.5% respectively [6] - The construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel has encouraged Shenzhen enterprises to establish bases in Zhongshan, creating a "Shenzhen headquarters + Zhongshan base" development model [7] - The development of more cross-sea channels is anticipated to drive new economic and social advancements in the region [8]

Core Viewpoint - The construction of major infrastructure projects in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is significantly enhancing connectivity, but these projects face challenges related to typhoon resistance and stability under extreme weather conditions [1][2]. Group 1: Infrastructure Projects - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel, which began construction in June 2020 and is set to open in December 2024, spans approximately 31 kilometers, with a 14-kilometer sea crossing [2][4]. - The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, which includes the world's largest span offshore steel box girder suspension bridge, is noted for its complex construction challenges due to frequent typhoons in the region [4][5]. - The Lion Rock Channel is another significant project, featuring the world's first double-deck suspension bridge exceeding 2000 meters in span [5][6]. Group 2: Engineering Innovations - Engineers are employing advanced technologies to enhance the wind resistance of these bridges, including the development of a new combination dynamic structure for the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link that improves its critical wind speed to 88 m/s, allowing it to withstand a typhoon of level 17 [5][6]. - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel has implemented wind tunnel tests to optimize its design, achieving performance that exceeds international comfort standards for wind-induced vibrations [4][5]. - The projects involve collaboration with multiple prestigious universities to conduct extensive wind tunnel experiments, leading to the selection of optimal cable and beam designs that enhance stability against wind-induced vibrations [6][7]. Group 3: Typhoon Preparedness - The approach to typhoon preparedness includes deploying thousands of personnel for inspections and safety checks across various construction sites, with significant resources allocated for emergency response [7][8]. - During the impact of Typhoon "Hagupit," the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was temporarily closed, and extensive monitoring was conducted to ensure safety [7][8]. - The monitoring systems for bridges like the Humen Bridge have been intensified to ensure rapid response to any sudden changes in conditions [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through major engineering projects, emphasizing the importance of wind resistance in bridge design due to the region's susceptibility to super typhoons [2][3]. Group 1: Engineering Projects - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel, which began construction in June 2020 and is set to open in December 2024, is a key project connecting Zhuhai and Jiangmen, featuring a main span of approximately 700 meters [3][5]. - The Shenzhong Channel, which includes the Shenzhong Bridge, is noted as the world's most complex cross-sea engineering project, integrating bridge, island, tunnel, and underwater connections [6][7]. Group 2: Wind Resistance Technologies - Advanced technologies such as "wind nozzles + vortex plates + central stabilizing plates" and "horizontal wing plates + vortex suppression grids" have been developed to enhance the wind resistance of large-span bridges [6][8]. - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel has conducted the world's first full-bridge vortex wind tunnel test, demonstrating superior wind resistance performance compared to international comfort standards [6][7]. Group 3: Recent Typhoon Impact - Typhoon "Hua Jia Sha," classified as a super typhoon, impacted Guangdong with wind speeds reaching 52 meters per second, prompting extensive safety measures and inspections across various bridge projects [9][10]. - The Guangdong Transportation Group mobilized over 9,396 personnel for pre-typhoon inspections and implemented temporary closures of major bridges, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The construction of major infrastructure projects in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is accelerating regional integration, but these projects face significant challenges due to extreme weather conditions, particularly typhoons [1][2]. Group 1: Infrastructure Projects - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage, which began construction in June 2020 and is set to open in December 2024, is a key project connecting Zhuhai and Jiangmen, with a total length of approximately 31 kilometers and a sea-crossing section of about 14 kilometers [2][4]. - The Shenzhong Passage, which includes the Shenzhong Bridge, is recognized as the world's most complex cross-sea cluster engineering project, featuring a total length of 2826 meters and a main span of 1666 meters, making it the largest span offshore steel box girder suspension bridge globally [5][6]. Group 2: Engineering Challenges - The design of bridges in the Pearl River Estuary prioritizes wind resistance due to the region's susceptibility to super typhoons, with engineers employing advanced technologies to ensure stability and safety under extreme wind conditions [2][4]. - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage has implemented innovative aerodynamic control technologies to manage bridge vibration and wind resistance, achieving performance that exceeds international comfort standards [5][6]. Group 3: Typhoon Impact and Response - Typhoon "Hagupit," classified as a super typhoon, impacted Guangdong, prompting the temporary closure of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and extensive safety checks by the Guangdong Transportation Group, which deployed 9396 personnel for pre-typhoon inspections [8][9]. - The Guangdong Transportation Group has activated emergency response measures across 52 highway sections, with various levels of wind emergency responses initiated to ensure safety during the typhoon [10][11].

Core Points - The "Global Road Achievement Award" for 2025 has recognized the "Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Corridor Design Innovation Practice" located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [1] - This project serves as the western extension of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, connecting Zhuhai and Jiangmen, with a total mainline length of approximately 31 kilometers and a cross-sea section of about 14 kilometers [1] - The key engineering feature, the Gaolan Port Bridge, is a double-tower cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 700 meters, while the Huangmaohai Bridge is noted as the world's largest completed three-tower cable-stayed bridge in terms of span [1] Industry Recognition - The "Global Road Achievement Award" is one of the most prestigious honors in the international transportation industry, encompassing 12 categories including design, research and development, construction methods, and environmental protection [1] - In the past five years, China has received this design category award for three projects, all located on the Yangtze River, making the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Corridor the first marine engineering project to receive this honor [1]

Core Insights - Guangdong Transportation Group celebrates its 25th anniversary, having expanded its highway network from 501 kilometers in 2000 to 8,181 kilometers by 2025, contributing significantly to the connectivity of the Greater Bay Area [1][2]. Group 1: Highway Development - The group currently has 8 highway projects under construction in the Greater Bay Area, totaling approximately 548.8 kilometers, with 2 new projects starting, covering about 201 kilometers and a total investment of around 2,137 billion [1]. - The highway mileage in Guangdong has seen consistent growth, surpassing 11,700 kilometers by the end of 2024, with the group accounting for 8,181 kilometers, representing about 70% of the province's total highway mileage [2]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The highways have significantly boosted regional economies, with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway contributing over 400 billion to the economy of the surrounding areas from 2002 to 2020 [2]. - The newly opened Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge recorded over 31 million vehicle trips in its first year, facilitating the free flow of talent, goods, capital, and information across the Pearl River Delta [2]. Group 3: Tourism and Business Growth - The influx of tourists due to the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge led to a 102.36% increase in visitors to Zhongshan during the 2024 National Day holiday, generating tourism revenue of 1.968 billion [3]. - The first phase of the Zhongshan Life Science Park has achieved a 65% occupancy rate, attracting over 30 biopharmaceutical companies to establish operations [3]. Group 4: Infrastructure Projects - Ongoing infrastructure projects include the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel, the expansion of the Shenshan and Zhongjiang Highways, and the construction of various expressways, which are enhancing the connectivity of the Greater Bay Area [3].

Core Viewpoint - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage has been awarded the George S. Richardson Medal at the 2025 International Bridge Conference (IBC), marking it as the only project from China to receive this honor in the current session, and it is the second such award for Guangdong Province and Guangdong Transportation Group [1][2]. Group 1: Project Recognition - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage is recognized for its outstanding achievements in design, construction, research, and education, as it is awarded the most prestigious medal in the bridge industry [1]. - The IBC is a highly influential academic conference in the global bridge community, with awards established in 1988 [1]. Group 2: Technical Innovations - The project team has achieved significant innovations in aesthetic design, structural systems, damping devices, wind vibration control technology, and industrialized construction methods to address challenges such as typhoons and marine corrosion [1][2]. - Technologies such as central auxiliary cables, liquid viscous dampers, and friction pendulum isolation bearings have notably enhanced the bridge's stiffness and durability [2]. Group 3: Environmental Considerations - The project incorporates green and eco-friendly principles, ensuring ecological protection and avoiding sensitive areas, thus achieving harmony with the natural environment [2]. Group 4: Economic Impact - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage strengthens connectivity between underdeveloped regions in western Guangdong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting coordinated regional economic development [2].

Core Viewpoint - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel has been awarded the George S. Richardson Medal at the 2025 International Bridge Conference (IBC), marking it as the only project from China to receive this honor in the current session [1][2]. Group 1: Award Significance - The IBC is a prestigious academic conference with significant influence in the global bridge community, and its awards are considered the "Nobel Prize" of the bridge industry [1][2]. - The George S. Richardson Medal is the oldest and most influential award established by the International Bridge Association, focusing on outstanding achievements in design, construction, research, and education [2]. Group 2: Project Innovations - The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel is the second bridge project in Guangdong Province to receive this award, following the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel [2]. - The project team has achieved several innovative results in aesthetic design, structural systems, damping devices, wind vibration control technology, and industrialized construction methods [2][3]. - Technologies such as central auxiliary cables, liquid viscous dampers, and friction pendulum isolation bearings have significantly enhanced the bridge's stiffness and durability [3]. Group 3: Environmental and Economic Impact - The project incorporates industrialized construction techniques that improve precision and efficiency, achieving millimeter-level accuracy in construction [4]. - The design emphasizes ecological protection, avoiding sensitive areas to ensure harmony with the natural environment [4]. - As a vital infrastructure for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel enhances connectivity and promotes coordinated regional economic development [4].