Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link handles over 31 million vehicle trips in first year

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a massive cross-sea passage in south China that features two bridges, two artificial islands and an underwater tunnel, has seen a steady surge in vehicle trips since its entry into operation on June 30, 2024, handling more than 31.5 million vehicle crossings in one year.

Of the vehicles crossing the link, those bearing license plates from Hong Kong and Macao totaled 769,700 in number.

Spanning 24 kilometers, the link drastically reduces the time it takes to travel between the city of Zhongshan and the technology hub of Shenzhen -- situated on opposite sides of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province -- from two hours to approximately 30 minutes.

Data show that during weekdays, the traffic flow on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is stable and orderly, with an average daily traffic volume of 81,500 vehicle trips. 

During holidays, the traffic flow on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link constantly remains high. Since its opening, it has broken the daily traffic peak record four times. 

This year, on May 1, it registered a record high of 181,600 vehicle crossings on it after its opening. 

The average daily traffic volume on public holidays is 139,600 vehicle trips, 71.24 percent more than on weekdays. 

In addition, the accumulated traffic volume on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in the first half of this year also increased compared with the second half of last year. The average daily traffic volume in the second half of last year was 82,000 vehicle crossings, while the average daily traffic volume in the first half of this year was 90,900 ones. 

"One year after the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, the overall traffic flow is safe, stable and orderly, and the traffic volume has kept growing. The overall traffic capacity of cross-river channels across the Pearl River Estuary, including the Huangpu Bridge, Nansha Bridge and Humen Bridge, has been enhanced. The traffic environment has been greatly improved, people have shown stronger desire to travel, and there is a marked increase in the overall traffic flow in the cross-river channels across the Pearl River Estuary. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is becoming increasingly prominent as a key transportation hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," said Fan Chuanbin, director of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link administration center. 

Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link handles over 31 million vehicle trips in first year

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival