The World Bank has approved a $100m loan to improve Chinas inland waterway transport infrastructure.

Under the project, the 205.6km Shaying River channel between Changshenggou on the Henan-Anhui border and Mohekou at the confluence of the Shaying River with the Huai River will be reopened and upgraded.

World Bank senior transport specialist Zhang Wenlai said the improvement works will raise the channel standard and associated infrastructure to national Class IV, which will permit year-round navigation of 500dwt vessels outside the dry season.

The total project will cost $292m, of which the World Bank has approved $100m and the Chinese Government will provide the remainder.