China has begun construction of the country's first new canal in centuries.
The $10.3 billion Pinglu Canal will connect the city of Nanning in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the Beibu Gulf. Spanning 134.2 km, the canal is one of three planned to be constructed across the country in the next few years.
The canal, which is expected to open by 2026, will enable ships to travel from deep in the interior of the country and access the Beibu Gulf close to the Vietnam border via the Qinjiang river.
The design of the new canal includes the world's largest inland water-efficient ship lock.
