China has officially opened the 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal, unlocking a direct maritime shortcut for its landlocked southwestern regions to access overseas markets, primarily ASEAN. Built at an investment of 72.7 billion yuan (approx. 10.75 billion U.S. dollars), the waterway runs from Nanning to the Beibu Gulf, marking the nation’s first nationally coordinated river-to-sea canal project since 1949. Accommodating vessels up to 5,000 tonnes, the route cuts the inland journey to the sea by over 560 kilometers compared to traditional paths through Guangdong, reducing logistics costs by 18 to 30 percent and generating annual freight savings exceeding 5 billion yuan. Constructed over four years with solutions for a 65-meter water level difference and comprehensive ecological protections, the canal strengthens the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, deepening supply-chain connectivity and investment between China and Southeast Asia at the onset of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
https://english.news.cn/20260916/185406edec544ef0b6997c3ac3ccca7b/c.html