The Pinglu Canal is expected to gain approval for the construction plans of each of its sub-projects in February, with construction projected to start in March.

Liu Ke, director of the Transport Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, made the announcement on Jan 17.

The construction of the Pinglu Canal has been dubbed a "century project" and will be a backbone project of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Upon completion, it will serve as a new passage for export with the shortest transportation time, the best services, and the most affordable prices.

The Pinglu Canal will stretch 134.2 kilometers from the Pingtang River's estuary of the Xijin Reservoir in Nanning's Hengzhou. It will then merge with the Qinjiang River in Luwu town, Lingshan county, Qinzhou and head towards the sea at Qinzhou's Shajing Port.

The project boasts an investment of 72.7 billion yuan ($10.7 billion) and is expected to be completed in 52 months, with the canal's main structure scheduled to be finished at the end of 2026.

As of Jan 16, a total of 4.26 billion has been invested in the project for works like earth rock excavation and slope protection.

The Pinglu Canal will have the world's largest inland water-saving ship lock, striving to make breakthroughs in the research and development of high-efficiency water conveyance systems. The original ecological system near the canal will be preserved or treated.

Liu noted that the Transport Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will spare no effort to move forward the project's construction plan design and approval, striving to turn the project into a high-quality and green one.