June 18, 2012

0253 CHINA (Hong Kong) - Tsing Ma Bridge


In 1997, at time of completion, the Tsing Ma Bridge, which links the islands Tsing Yi and Ma Wan over Ma Wan Channel, was the world's second-longest span suspension bridge, with a main span of 1,377m and a height of 206m. It's also one of the three long span bridges linking the New Territories in Hong Kong with the Island of Chep Lap Kok, where the territory's new airport is located, the other two being the Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge.

I will not enumerate figures on the amount of concrete or steel used, or other technical details. Anyway anyone don't remember them (you can find them here). Order to get however an idea, I'll say only this: the number of wires in the main span is 33,400 with a diameter of 5.38 mm per wire. Obvious, this bridge, designed by Mott MacDonald, is now Hong Kong's proud new landmark, massively imposing by day, and a twinkling network of lights by night.

About the stamps
The first two stamps, depictind White-bellied sea eagle (10c) and Scarlet minivet (50c), belongs to a set of birds about which I wrote here.


The third stamp is part of the second set "Hong Kong Museums Collection" (the first was issued in 2009 and focused on Chinese calligraphy and painting), which present treasures from the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Dr. & Mrs. Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University. This set comprises six stamps showcases six traditional articles:
• Forehead Headdress ($1.40)
• Qipao ($1.80)
• Silver Footed Bowl Decorated in Repousse ($2.40) - it’s on this postcard
• Sequined Reversible Palace Costume ($2.50) - it's on other postcard
• Green Glazed Barrel for Herbal Tea ($3)
• Baby-carrier with Head Support ($5)

Sender: Kun Hu (direct swap)
Sent from Honk Kong, on 11.04.2012
Photo: Edmond Chan

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