Sana'a: China inaugurated the Pinglu Grand Canal Wednesday in the southern region of Guangxi. The project connects the inland river network to the sea, providing landlocked areas in southwest China with a shorter route to the coast and overseas markets-particularly those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
According to Yemen News Agency, spanning 134.2 kilometers and costing approximately 72.7 billion yuan (about $10.75 billion) to construct, the canal links Nanning-the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region-to Beibu Gulf. Beibu Gulf serves as the nearest maritime outlet for most areas in southwest China.
The canal is part of the "New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor," a strategic trade route connecting China's interior with ASEAN nations and other global markets. It also marks the first river-to-sea canal project planned and coordinated at the national level since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Designed to accommodate vessels with a capacity of up to 5,000 tons, the canal will reduce the cargo transport distance from southwest China to the sea by more than 560 kilometers compared to traditional routes via ports in Guangdong Province.
The canal is expected to lower total logistics costs by 18 to 30 percent and save over 5 billion yuan annually in transportation expenses. The opening of the channel comes at a time of continuous expansion in trade relations between China and ASEAN nations; the volume of trade between the two sides surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time last year.
During the first seven months of 2026, trade volume between China and ASEAN countries reached approximately $744.41 billion-a year-on-year increase of 24.7 percent-accounting for 21.8 percent of China's total foreign trade during that period.
