Local governments including those in Hunan, Jiangxi and Yunnan provinces are considering linking the country’s major waterways like the Yangtze River, Huaihe River and Xiangjiang River with man-made canals. Scheduled to open in 2026, the 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal, which will cut some 560 kilometers off the route from Guangxi’s Hengzhou to the Beibu Gulf along the coast of the South China Sea, will be the touchstone. But debates over man-made canals have heated up. Some experts point out that with existing comprehensive land transportation, building canals that cost hundreds of billions of yuan is a huge waste. Supporters argue that well-connected waterways can save substantial amounts in logistics costs and boost local economies as canals are attractive to both investments and manufacturers. However, economic considerations alone are not enough. Water conservancy, ecological protection and disaster prevention must all be considered before a canal breaks ground.
Old Version
