Bridge brings connectivity to China's southwest

KUNMING -- A suspension bridge with a main span of 1,386 meters will traverse the Jinshajiang River in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to the bridge's construction team.

The Jin'an Jinshajiang Bridge is part of a highway being built to connect Huaping County with Lijiang in the province.

Two ropes have been hoisted by boats to connect two towers on both sides of the river bank.

After connecting the two towers, builders will start putting cables and main bridge structures in place, said Zhang Ping, deputy manager of the bridge project.

The bridge will be about 335 meters above the water's surface. Dubbed one of the key projects for the Belt and Road Initiative, the highway will be a new transportation artery between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

The six hours previously needed to drive between Lijiang and Panzhihua in Sichuan Province will be cut down to two.

The bridge is invested in and constructed by China Communications Construction Company Ltd, one of the world's top 500 enterprises that has also set new records in bridge construction, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

The Jinshajiang River is located at the upstream of the Yangtze River, China's longest.