The Pearl River Administration of Navigational Affairs under the Ministry of Transport will conduct further feasible studies on the construction of Xianggui (Hunan-Guangxi) and Ganyue (Jiangxi-Guangdong) artificial canals in the following months.

Li Yongheng, deputy director of the administration, said construction of the two artificial canals that link the Pearl River to Yangtze River have recently been included in the country's National Inland Waterway and Port Development Plan (Draft) .

Li forecast construction of the two artificial canals will be completed before 2035, forming an advance river inland transport network in the country, playing a significant role in increasing local employment rate, getting rid of poverty and promoting local economic development along the two major rivers in the country.

"After the artificial canals are completed, it will further promote the construction of ports, ship buildings, industrial development zones and water tourism industry along the Pearl River and Yangtze River, forming new canal industrial belts in the future," Li said at a press conference in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Monday.