China Launches Pinglu Canal; Hong Kong Unveils First 5 Year Plan: SCMP’s 7 Highlights The recent launch of the Pinglu Canal is being hailed as a major breakthrough for China's southwestern region.
However, beneath the surface lies a more complex story – one that speaks to China's ambitious plans for infrastructure development and its strategic interests in the Indo Pacific.
The Pinglu Canal spans over 1,000 kilometers, connecting China's southwestern Sichuan Province with the South China Sea, bypassing congested ports such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.