A bridge linking Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta is expected to start in 2009 and the central government will offer 5 billion yuan (US$730 million) on its main body.

The plan was made public by Du Ying, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission at a news conference on Thursday.

The main body of the bridge stretches 29 km, the longest in the world. It will connect the country's three southern booming places of Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2009)