Qinzhou: China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal in Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marking a new chapter in maritime shipping history. The official opening of the Pinglu Canal shipping route took place on September 16th, witnessed by a large number of people who were present to be a part of this historic moment.
According to Thai News Agency, the Pinglu Canal, also known as the "Dragon Route of the Century," is a vital waterway that connects inland rivers in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the sea. Starting at the mouth of the Pingtang River in Hengxian City, Nanning City, it traverses Luwu Township, Lingshan County, Qinzhou City, and flows along the Xinjiang River before emptying into Beibu Gulf. The canal's total length is 134.2 kilometers. It connects the northern end to the Xijiang River system and the southern end to Beibu Gulf, opening a second shipping route from the Pearl and Xijiang River basins to the sea. This provides southwestern China with a new waterway for direct southbound cargo transport to Beibu Gulf, reducing sea travel distances by over 560 kilometers and saving areas along the route more than 5 billion yuan annually in transportation costs.
The construction of the Pinglu Canal started on August 28, 2022, involving tens of thousands of workers. It is built to Tier 1 domestic navigation channel standards and can accommodate vessels up to 5,000 tons. The canal is distinct in its connection between rivers and the Beibu Gulf, featuring three main tiered lock control centers: Matao, Qishi, and Qingnian. It holds four world records, including the highest navigation capacity among similar canals worldwide and the highest speed capacity of its locks. It also has the greatest water level difference for efficient ship elevation and deceleration, alongside a water-saving system that minimizes water consumption for inland river navigation. This was celebrated on the opening day, with two-way navigation for 14 ships on two international and domestic trade routes: from Nanning, China to Can Tho Province, Vietnam, and from Nanning to Yangpu City, Hainan Province. The cargo ships carried white sugar, construction materials, minerals, steel, and other goods, whil e another 16 ships with coal, iron ore, aluminum ore, fertilizers, high-calcium rock, and other goods have already entered the Xijiang River basin.
The Pinglu Canal project will not only influence the development of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region but also play a crucial role in the development of southwestern and south-central China, as well as the entire country. It opens up new opportunities for cooperation in transportation and logistics, and economic and trade collaboration between China and ASEAN.