Pinglu Canal opens, linking Guangxi to Beibu Gulf, reshaping China-ASEAN trade

The Pinglu Canal, a 134.2km waterway for 5,000-tonne vessels, opened on September 16, connecting inland Guangxi to the Beibu Gulf and Southeast Asia. This marks a strategic shift in China's inland-sea connectivity, potentially diverting trade flows and boosting regional growth. The canal's impact on Hong Kong's role as a transshipment hub is uncertain, as it may redirect cargo away from traditional routes.