The waters of Guangxi flow endlessly, the canal leads to the ocean.

"Three parts Lishui and seven parts Xiang, a spiritual canal runs through the Chu territory." Standing by the Huazui of the Lingqu Canal, watching the Yangyang River split into two—a northern branch flowing into the Xiang River and a southern branch pouring into the Lijiang River—the thousand-year-old water veins continue to flow ceaselessly. Recently, following the "Waterborne China—Exploring Guangxi from Water" all-media interview and research group, we traced the rivers. From the thousand-year-old canal nestled within the Guilin landscapes to the mountain-splitting and sea-reaching Pinglu Canal, the journey used water as its thread and poetry as its cue, unraveling the legendary waterway history of the magnificent Guangxi land spanning over a millennium.

As the ancients said, "The river winds like a green silk belt, the mountains stand like hairpins of jade." Drifting along the Lijiang River from Yangdi to Xingping, the forested peaks reflected in the emerald waters resemble the grand scenery penned by Han Yu a millennium ago. Today, the Lijiang River offers more than just picturesque landscapes. As a pilot site for Guangxi's "Beautiful Waterway" initiative, drones patrol to safeguard the ecological shores, while smart waterways link the natural scenery with human habitation. The integration of waterway infrastructure and natural landscapes exemplifies the idea of ecological priority, vividly reflected in the Lijiang’s clear waters. The ancient waterways are being rejuvenated through dedicated protection efforts.

If Lingqu Canal represents the ancient wisdom of linking the northern and southern water veins, the Pinglu Canal is the monumental answer from the new era to the call for maritime strength. Standing at the observation deck of the Madai Hub, one can overlook the world's largest inland water-saving ship lock spanning across the mountains, feeling the grandeur of "building a river by splitting mountains." Reflecting on the past, when Qin people carved canals for transport, and looking at the present, where we pierce mountains to reach the sea, the Guangxi people's dedication to water management and navigation persists unchanged across over two millennia. On the integrated river-sea dispatch platform, data flows to sketch a blueprint for unobstructed waterways from rivers to seas. From construction challenges to operational management, from technological breakthroughs to providing momentum for the shipping industry, every detail of this monumental project is brimming with the dedication and innovation of Guangxi's maritime transportation workers.

The most touching chapter lies within the youthful dialogues at the Youth Hub. "The road through the red hills is dotted with tung blossoms, and the young phoenix sings with a purer voice than the old one." Over sixty years ago, more than a thousand young people labored with their hands and shoulders, completing the construction of the Youth Sluice Gate in just eight months. In the new era, the youth assault team, with an average age of 32, is tackling challenges here. The wrinkles on the elderly builders' faces hold stories of past struggles, while the eyes of the young builders shine with the spirit of innovation. The landmark place named "Youth" bears witness to the enduring spirit of water transport passed down through generations. From the construction frontline to navigation buoy posts, from pilot decks to shipbuilding workshops, generations of young water transport enthusiasts dedicate their youth to fulfilling their mission, ensuring the eternal vitality of these ancient water veins.

Arriving at Qinzhou Port, automated terminal cranes stand in rows, and seamless sea-rail intermodal transportation ensures "getting on a ship as you get off a train, and vice versa." The endpoint of the Pinglu Canal is a new starting point for opening up to the sea. "The tide is flat and the banks are broad; the wind is fair, and the sail hangs high." The canal's navigation not only brings convenience to shipping but also promotes the gathering of port-side industries and accelerates cross-border trade. In the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park, the advantages of direct river-sea connectivity empower cross-border cooperation. At the shipbuilding base, eco-friendly smart ships set sail into the deep blue seas. A single canal links inland regions with the ocean while also connecting development and the future.

A five-day journey, following the waterways, we moved from the echoes of wisdom in thousand-year-old canals to the progressive footsteps of a century-old canal. The story of Guangxi's water transportation is one of continuous inheritance and innovation. Water is the lifeblood of Guangxi and the pulse of its development. When ancient waterways meet the waves of a new era, what surges forward is not just a river of clear water but also Guangxi’s grand journey to maritime strength and prosperity.