历经三年多建设，平陆运河雄姿初现——一河激活北部湾

Core Viewpoint - The Pinglu Canal, a significant infrastructure project in Guangxi, is being constructed to enhance transportation and trade routes, connecting the southwestern region of China to the sea and facilitating access to ASEAN and global markets [1][3][4]. Geographic Perspective - The Pinglu Canal spans 134.2 kilometers and connects various rivers in Guangxi, allowing 5,000-ton vessels to reach the sea directly, significantly shortening the shipping distance by over 560 kilometers compared to routes through Guangzhou [3][5]. Development Philosophy - The construction of the Pinglu Canal addresses historical transportation limitations in Guangxi, which has struggled with a lack of direct waterways to the sea, impacting trade and economic development [4][5]. Engineering Scale - The project includes a 134.2-kilometer navigable channel, three dual-line ship locks, and 27 bridges, making it a complex engineering endeavor that integrates multiple functions such as shipping, flood control, and ecological preservation [7][8]. Construction Progress - The excavation volume for the project is approximately 315 million cubic meters, equivalent to nearly three times the excavation volume of the Three Gorges Dam, with over 90% of the excavation and concrete pouring completed [9][10]. Water Resource Management - The project requires about 1 billion cubic meters of water annually to support the 5,000-ton vessels, with water sourced from the Xijiang River, ensuring that the flow to the Pearl River is not adversely affected [11]. Economic Impact - The Pinglu Canal is expected to stimulate economic growth by attracting major industrial projects, such as a lithium carbonate production facility and a paper industry park, thereby enhancing cargo availability for shipping [15]. Infrastructure Upgrades - To maximize the canal's shipping efficiency, upgrades to port facilities and inland waterways are necessary, including enhancements to the existing infrastructure at Nanning Port to accommodate larger vessels [15].