China built 134-km long Pinglu canal after spending four years digging through mountains; it now cuts 560 kms to reach the sea

China has opened the Pinglu canal, a 134.2 km waterway built over four years at a cost of USD 10.75 billion, linking Nanning in Guangxi to the Beibu Gulf. The canal cuts more than 560 km off the older sea route, is expected to lower logistics costs significantly, and strengthens China's trade corridor with ASEAN nations.