China has opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province. Its roadway sits 625 meters above the river â making it officially the highest bridge in the world.
The crossing cuts travel time from two hours to just a few minutes.
đïž Engineering feat: At 2,890 meters long with a 1,420-meter main span, the bridge ranks among the worldâs longest suspension bridges â a symbol of Chinaâs engineering ambitions.
đ° Cost & speed: Built in just three years for about âŹ240 million, the project used digital prefabrication, advanced surveying, and 22,000 tons of steel â nearly three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
đ Bridge superpower: 18 of the worldâs 20 tallest bridges stand in China, many in Guizhou. Despite its weak economy, the province has become a showcase for Beijingâs infrastructure push.
Chinaâs mega projects
China continues to pour massive investment into transport networks to connect regions, boost trade, and secure growth. Three projects show the scale especially clearly:
đ Â SichuanâTibet Railway: 1,600 km through rugged mountains â cuts travel from Chengdu to Lhasa from two days to 13 hours. Considered the worldâs most technically challenging railway.
đ„Â ShenzhenâZhongshan Link: A 49.7 km bridge-tunnel system across the Pearl River Delta â linking two Greater Bay Area hubs. Price tag: 45 billion yuan (~$6.3 billion).
đ„Â Pinglu Canal: A 134 km waterway in Guangxi â giving inland regions direct access to the sea. Investment: over 70 billion yuan (~$9.8 billion). Completion expected by 2026.
Background: How deep is Guizhou in debt?
Debt load above 70% of GDP: According to official figures, Guizhouâs provincial debt stood at over 72% of GDP in 2023.
Hidden liabilities: Much of the borrowing runs through so-called Local Government Financing Vehicles (LGFVs).
The financing vehicle Zunyi Road & Bridge Construction Group had to restructure its loans in 2023, stretching repayment and interest over 20 years.
Sources: BBC (Video), Times of India, SCMP
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