China opens Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, linking Xijiang River to Beibu Gulf

On September 16, 2026, the Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, China, officially opened to navigation. The canal connects the Xijiang River system to the Beibu Gulf, providing a new maritime route for southwestern China. It shortens the journey to the sea by over 560 kilometers and is expected to save more than 5 billion yuan annually in freight costs. The project includes three hubs and has set four world records. Fourteen cargo ships and sixteen vessels began inaugural voyages, and four passenger routes were launched. The canal is seen as a historic development for the region and China-ASEAN cooperation.