On September 16, the Pinglu Canal, the first national-level canal project to connect the river and the sea since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, will be opened to navigation. This canal will directly open up the shortest, most economical and most convenient water transportation channel between Guangxi and southwest my country and ASEAN. In the past few days, media from many countries have continued to pay attention to this, believing that the opening of the canal will create more growth opportunities for ASEAN countries.
Aerial photo of the Pingtang estuary section of the Pinglu Canal
Vietnam’s “Da Nang News”According to reports, the most outstanding value of the Pinglu Canal is that it can significantly shorten the navigation distance from the inland areas of southwestern China to the ocean. Compared with the transportation route through Guangzhou, the waterway distance is shortened by about 560 kilometers, and logistics costs are reduced by 18% to 30%. As a result, the Pinglu Canal has become the shortest and most economical sea passage in the entire region.
Screenshot of Vietnam’s “Da Nang News” website report
The report believes that some ASEAN countries may benefit from this interconnection project. A large amount of fruits, rice, coffee and aquatic products are exported to China from ASEAN countries every year. The new water transport routes can expand logistics options for enterprises, especially in the context of the growing demand for bulk transportation of agricultural products.
The report pointed out that the Pinglu Canal will become a new link in the regional trade system, helping China and ASEAN to be more closely connected through sustainable cross-border goods, investment and cooperation ties.
Screenshot of Vietnam’s “Da Nang News” website report
Times of IndiaAccording to the report, in the context of broader regional economic cooperation, the Pinglu Canal will become a tool to improve connectivity, thereby helping China’s inland regions improve their competitiveness and better participate in the global market.
According to reports, what really attracted the attention of the world was not just the size of the canal, but the impact it might have. If the canal is successful, it could become a blueprint for other countries to follow in improving their own connectivity.
Screenshot of report from Times of India website
thai public broadcasterCiting an assessment report from Thailand, it was stated that the Pinglu Canal will create four important opportunities for Thailand. In the field of logistics, the canal will reduce the transportation time and costs required for large quantities of goods to enter China’s interior areas, increase transportation route options, and increase the potential for diversified intermodal transportation through port and rail networks.
In the agricultural and food sector, the canal facilitates the rapid distribution of Thai goods to target markets, especially products that require freshness such as durian, mangosteen, frozen seafood and processed foods.
Screenshot of report from Thailand Public Broadcasting and Television website
In terms of investment and warehousing, there is a huge demand for warehouses, distribution centers and cold storage facilities in the areas around Guangxi Qinzhou Port and the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, and the navigation of the Pinglu Canal provides opportunities for Thai investors.
At the same time, as an important infrastructure for the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” and RCEP, the Pinglu Canal will expand the scale of cross-border trade and international trade, increase opportunities to connect with China’s supply chain, and attract new investment.
Singapore Straits TimesAccording to reports, the opening of the Pinglu Canal comes at a time when trade between Southeast Asia and China is booming. In 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN will exceed US$1 trillion (approximately 7 trillion yuan). The Pinglu Canal will shorten the voyage required to transport goods from China’s western landlocked provinces to Singapore by up to 740 kilometers and inject momentum into trade between Southeast Asia and China.
Screenshot of relevant reports from Singapore’s “The Straits Times”
Source | Headquarters Global Information
Compiled | Luo Guangxu
Signing and Approval | Li Lin
