# Pinglu Canal: Engineering a new waterway to the sea

https://mins.news/en/item/61979

- CGTN, 2026-09-16 04:09 UTC
- Economy
- Original: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-16/Pinglu-Canal-Engineering-a-new-waterway-to-the-sea-1QtPT1rJx4s/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> China’s 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal officially opened to navigation on Wednesday, linking the Xijiang River shipping network with the Beibu Gulf. Built at a cost of 72.7 billion yuan, it can handle vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes and is expected to cut the route from southwest China to the sea by about 560 kilometers. Mangrove restoration, a fish passage and a wildlife overpass were incorporated into the project.

## Related coverage

- [Vice premier stresses western opening as Pinglu Canal begins operations](https://mins.news/en/item/61997) — CGTN, 2026-09-16
- [CNA Explains: Why China’s new Pinglu Canal matters](https://mins.news/en/video/60617) — CNA, 2026-09-16
- [China opens Pinglu Canal, a trade shortcut to Southeast Asia](https://mins.news/en/item/60443) — China News Service, 2026-09-16
- [Major river-to-sea project: China's Pinglu Canal opens for navigation](https://mins.news/en/item/63610) — CGTN, 2026-09-16
