Mr Lin said the foundation work between Qi'ao and Neilingding Island had also been completed.

He denied, however, that Zhuhai had begun the Lingdingyang bridge project without central approval.

Mr Lin said the first section, linking Qi'ao Island to the mainland, did not require Beijing's approval.

'We consider that [section] is for the development of Qi'ao Island,' Mr Lin said.

The Lingdingyang bridge project has been referred to the Sino-British Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee for discussion.

The Zhuhai authorities hope to win Hong Kong's support for the project so that a link can be completed with the territory, to Tuen Mun.

The Lingdingyang bridge, expected to cost hundreds of millions yuan, would also connect to a coastal highway in the west of Guangdong between Zhanjiang and Zhuhai.

Zhuhai Mayor Liang Guangda said the Lingdingyang bridge was important to the development of the Special Economic Zone.

'The economic relationship between Zhuhai and Hong Kong is very close. The two are now being separated by the Lingdingyang which hampers economic development,' said Mr Ling.

About 90 per cent of cargo from Zhuhai, the Pearl River Delta and western part of Guangdong province has to travel via Hong Kong.

Construction chief Mr Lin dismissed worries that the proposed bridge would create heavy traffic problems for the western part of Hong Kong.

He said the project would instead ease traffic congestion between Shenzhen and the territory.

Mr Lin urged the Hong Kong Government to co-operate with Zhuhai in planning and funding the bridge.

To complete Zhuhai's transport links with the west of Guangdong, the municipal Government is planning a 12-kilometre bridge to link with Taishan.

The proposed six-lane Huangmao Sea bridge would cost about a billion Hong Kong dollars, Mr Lin said.