A diagrammatic sketch of the cross-sea passage in the Bohai Gulf [Photo/yantai.dzwww.com]

A series of research results on a cross-sea passage in the Bohai Gulf and economic development in the Bohai Economic Rim were released at a press conference in Yantai, Shandong province, on May 4.

Starting in 1992, the research has gone through four stages. 

The first stage of research was regarding the railway ferries linking Yantai in Shandong province and Dalian in Liaoning province, which was completed and started operating in 2006.

The second stage demonstrated the practicability of building bridges or tunnels between Penglai in Shandong and Lushunkou district in Dalian, Liaoning province.

The research team was expanded to more than 200 members at the third stage, with experts specializing in engineering, economy, transport, society, ocean, geology, meteorology, environmental protection, military affairs and protection of cultural heritages. 

The research focused on the influence the cross-sea passage would have on the economic development in the Bohai Economic Rim and the rejuvenation of industrial bases in Northeast China.

The fourth stage worked on an efficient method of launching the project, combining highway and railway, cutting the current waterway transport time between Yantai and Dalian from the average of seven hours to one hour.

The cross-sea passage is expected to form three dumbbell regional economic structures connecting Yantai and Dalian, Shandong and Liaoning provinces, as well as East China and Northeast China.

It is also a significant part in building a comprehensive traffic network connecting coastal regions in North and East China.

A press conference is held in Yantai, Shandong province, on May 4, where a series of research results on a cross-sea passage in the Bohai Gulf and economic development in the Bohai Economic Rim are released. [Photo/yantai.dzwww.com]

The cross-sea passage is expected to form three dumbbell regional economic structures connecting Yantai and Dalian, Shandong and Liaoning provinces, as well as East China and Northeast China. [Photo/ ql1d.com]