Shenzhen-Zhongshan link officially opens

President Xi Jinping on Sunday welcomed the opening of a bridge and tunnel link that connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan, saying that it helps promote market integration in the Greater Bay Area. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan link, which opened on Sunday afternoon, is expected to cut the journey time between the two cities to 30 minutes from two hours. President Xi said it's necessary to ensure the link is safe and smooth, and that it will help integrate the east and west sides of the Pearl River Delta. Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said he expects it to be a popular tourist spot. "One out of two enquiries have been asking about the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link for single-day or multi-day tour groups. Customers hope to go to Zhongshan, Shunde or Gudou and spend three days there," he said. A man travelling to Zhongshan from Kwun Tong by tour bus said he now expects the journey to be more convenient. "When I travelled to Zhongshan from Kwun Tong before, and I had to pass by Shenzhen Bay and Humen. It took me five-and-a-half hours. I wanted to try if it really takes a much shorter time with the link," he said. A restaurant manager in Zhongshan said he expects business to increase after the opening of the transport link. "Hong Kong tour groups contributed to half of our sales for group dining. After the opening of the link, many travel agencies, which didn't previously partner with, also came to our restaurant and have a look at the environment and the food," he said.