China has long been considered as the “world’s workshop” due to its high production of steel pipes, televisions and other products, but after a recent bridge swap in Downtown Beijing, netizens have added another commodity that might become in-demand among global buyers: highly efficient construction teams.
According to a report by China Daily, a video clip taken during the bridge swap has gone viral, fueling interest and wide-eyed wonder. Since it was uploaded on Nov. 24 on Youtube, the video has garnered over 1,680,000 views.
The time-lapse video, which lasted for two minutes, showed a team of construction workers replacing the 1,300-ton Sanyuangqiao cloverleaf junction.
The junction was replaced due to its role as a major congestion point on the way to the airport. It also links to major thoroughfares: the highway connecting Shunyi District and downtown Beijing, and the Third Ring Road.
The swap, which was reported to cost around 39 million yuan ($6.1 million), started at 11 p.m. on Nov. 13 and ended on Nov. 15. It took the construction team a total of 43 hours to complete the project.
Netizens around the globe responded at the amazing feat.
One Weibo user said that the bridge swap effectively showcases China's advanced technology and speed to the world.
Meanwhile, user @Wangshuaizaiyilake said: "Really remarkable! The city is developing so fast, so we have to deal with its problems with innovation."
Weibo user @zhongyongzhidao echoed the same sentiments, saying, "The project is active, efficient and it is not disturbing to the citizens. I feel really proud."
Foreign viewers also expressed amazement at the so-called "Chinese speed."
"In my homeland of the Philippines it would take an entire president's term to even go halfway, not to mention the amount of money pocketed as the project goes on," lamented Patrick Chua.
Still, some netizens advised that utmost safety must be exercised in such situations to avoid mishaps.