Story perspectives

Pinglu Canal Opens September, Slashes China-Singapore Route 740 km

5/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 134.2-km Pinglu Canal, costing $13.7 billion, will open in September and cut the route from China’s western provinces to Singapore by 740 km.
Officials say the waterway will give inland regions faster access to global sea lanes.
Zhou Yan projects the canal could handle 3.5 million tonnes initially and rise to 150 million tonnes annually.
Lee Hsien Loong said the unsettled world makes cooperation and trade integration essential to improve peoples’ lives.

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Story summary

The 134.2-km Pinglu Canal, costing $13.7 billion, will open in September and cut the route from China’s western provinces to Singapore by 740 km.
Officials say the waterway will give inland regions faster access to global sea lanes.
Zhou Yan projects the canal could handle 3.5 million tonnes initially and rise to 150 million tonnes annually.
Lee Hsien Loong said the unsettled world makes cooperation and trade integration essential to improve peoples’ lives.