London, Mar. 10: China has announced plans to build an 18-mile bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland.

According to The Telegraph, officials have agreed to revive a five-year-old plan and will seek private partners to help fund half of the 2.95 billion pound fund needed to link the two former colonies with the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai, a special economic zone that adjoins Macau on the mainland.

Reports from Hong Kong said yesterday that the road bridge would begin on Lantau Island, home to Hong Kong's airport, and cross to Macau with a Y-like branch heading off to Zhuhai.

The project was first mooted in 2003, but the cost inhibited progress. (ANI)