China-Maldives Friendship Bridge boosts local development

Maldivian President Maldivian Muizzu has declared Aug 30 as "National Engineers' Day" to honor the opening of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the country's largest infrastructure project, which this year marks its 7th anniversary.

The bridge has made life easier for Maldivians by ensuring safe travel between Male, the Maldivian airport, and Hulhumale, while also reducing the time required for boat travel between Male and the airport. With over 100 million crossings and a daily average of about 45,000, it has lowered inter-island logistics costs and spurred the emergence of new professions and industries.

The bridge has propelled the development of the local public transport network, making public travel more convenient. Construction in Hulhumale has accelerated due to the bridge, increasing housing availability and population capacity, thereby helping reduce housing congestion in Male. The bridge has also become a key driver of the real estate market around the airport and in Hulhumale.

In March 2024, the CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Co launched a maintenance and technical assistance project for the bridge, providing the Maldives with repair and upkeep services. The project team installed an intelligent monitoring system equipped with 50 smart sensors to track the bridge's structural health with millimeter-level precision. The company also trained local technicians, enabling them to manage most routine maintenance tasks independently.