KPL
China’s Pinglu Canal, a major inland waterway project in Guangxi, has entered the trial navigation phase and is expected to strengthen trade and logistics links between southwestern China and ASEAN markets.
According to Pan Jian, Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Construction Co., Ltd., the project is more than 95 percent complete and has begun live vessel testing, marking a significant step toward full operation.
Stretching more than 100 kilometres, the canal is a key component of China’s national inland waterway development strategy. Once operational, it will provide a direct connection between the Xijiang River system and the Beibu Gulf, reducing transport distances and shipping times for goods travelling from inland provinces to international markets.
The project is expected to benefit provinces such as Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi by creating a more efficient route to the sea and enhancing trade with ASEAN countries. Previously, cargo from southwestern China often had to travel longer routes through coastal provinces before reaching global shipping lanes.
Engineers have addressed a 65-metre elevation difference along the canal by constructing three large ship-lock complexes, enabling the waterway to accommodate vessels of up to several thousand tonnes and significantly increase freight capacity.
Beyond transport, the Pinglu Canal has been designed to support flood control, water resource management and environmental protection, reflecting efforts to combine infrastructure development with sustainable planning.
As trial operations continue, the canal is expected to become a strategic logistics corridor that strengthens regional connectivity and further deepens economic cooperation between China and ASEAN.
KPL
