Testing the waters? Businesses weigh China’s new trade shortcut to Southeast Asia

AI Summary

The Pinglu Canal in China provides a shorter water route connecting the southwest inland region to the South China Sea and Southeast Asia. Analysts note that sustaining business interest through this new trade shortcut remains a challenge.

The Pinglu Canal provides China’s landlocked southwest region with a much shorter water route to the South China Sea - and Southeast Asia. But turning early business interest into sustained demand will be the bigger test, say analysts.