President Xi Jinping expected to attend opening ceremony of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge – but not to visit Hong Kong

Central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong has announced event will take place in Zhuhai on October 23

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The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, which will open on October 23, looking east towards Lantau Island. Picture: Martin Chan

Published: 5:45pm, 17 Oct 2018Updated: 10:24am, 19 Oct 2018

President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge on October 23, but will not be crossing over to the Hong Kong side to mark the linking of the three cities through the mega project nine years in the making.

Government sources told the Post on Wednesday about Xi’s possible involvement, as Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong confirmed the ceremony for the launch of the world’s longest sea crossing would take place in Zhuhai on Tuesday, but provided no further details.

Marine police launches will patrol waters on the Hong Kong side. Photo: Xinhua

Another source disclosed that Hong Kong police would still mount a land and sea security operation during the official opening, even though Xi was not expected to visit the city. The source said that marine police launches would patrol waters on the Hong Kong side, and that observation posts would be set up at Chek Lap Kok, which overlooks the artificial island housing local immigration and customs facilities for the bridge.