Chinese official promotes inland waterways

Chinese official promotes inland waterways A Chinese official is suggesting inland shipping could play a growing role in cargo transportation.
   The China Daily newspaper quoted Li Shenglin, minister of communications, as saying the Chinese government 'welcomes foreign capital and social funds to invest in inland waterway projects.'
   He made his remarks at an international inland shipping forum on the Yangtze River.
   Railroads and trucks carry most freight across the country, but major inland waterways will be developed in next 15 years.
   The government has plans to dredge waterways and build major shipping channels in the next five to 15 years, the minister said.
   Priority projects are on the Yangtze River, Pearl River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.