Key facts
- China has launched the Pinglu Canal.
- The canal aims to boost trade and connectivity in the southwest.
- It is expected to rival the Yangtze River's importance.
China has launched the Pinglu Canal, a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving trade and connectivity in the country's southwestern regions. The canal is anticipated to become a major waterway, potentially rivaling the economic importance of the Yangtze River and fostering economic development in the landlocked southwest.