China completes 2025 Grand Canal water replenishment project

BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A water replenishment project for the Grand Canal, which runs through northern and southern China, began in February 2025 and was completed in early July, the Ministry of Water Resources said Wednesday.

Since 2022, the Grand Canal has maintained uninterrupted water flow along its entire length for four consecutive years, according to the ministry.

As of July 1, a total of 788 million cubic meters of water had been supplied to the section of the canal located north of the Yellow River, reaching 142 percent of the planned target.

The ministry said it will continue ecological water replenishment efforts for rivers and lakes in northern China, optimize water scheduling, and manage sluice and dam operations to extend the periods when the Grand Canal has flowing water -- thereby further revitalizing this waterway.

The Grand Canal, which connects Beijing in northern China and the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has a history of more than 2,500 years and is known as the world's longest artificial waterway. It served as a significant transportation artery in ancient China and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.