Central Government Official Saturday confirmed that the State Planning Commission, Ministry of Communications and the Governments of Guangdong and Zhuihai had expressed their supports on the extension of Beijing-Zhaihai highway to Macao.

Secretary for Transport and Public Works Ao Man Long conducted a working session with the delegation headed by Vice Chairman of the State Development Planning Commission, Zhang Guobao, exchanging opinions regarding the cooperation on cross- border infrastructure projects between the Mainland and Macao.

The meeting was held at the Government Headquarters. Mr. Ao said after the meeting that the representatives of the two parties had discussed several issues, included the feasibility of constructing a cross-sea bridge connecting Macao, Hong Kong and Zhuhai/; the arrangement on civil aviation/; the extension of Beijing-Zhuhai highway and the high-speed light rail system of the Pearl River Delta region to Macao.

Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang said that the construction of Beijing-Zhuhai highway would be finished in the following year, adding that hopefully the idea of extending the highway to Macao could be progressed as soon as possible. He pointed out that, regarding to the extension of high-speed light rail system of the Pearl River Delta region to Macao, further analysis on the form and location of the junction should be studied by the Macao Government and the Governments of Guangdong province and Zhuhai.

Mr. Zhang disclosed that the related departments agreed to study the feasibility of a cross-sea bridge connecting Macao, Hong Kong and Zhuhai. He said careful evaluation concerning cost effective, environmental impact and the arrangement of routes was essential due to the enormous scale of the project.

Beside the State Development Planning Commission, the Chinese delegation comprised officials of the relevant authorities from the Guangdong province, the Guangzhou, and Zhuhai Municipalities.