The World Canals Conference 2026 opened on the morning of October 13 in Guilin, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autono¬mous Region. Representatives from canal cities, research institutions, universities, and industry organizations from over 20 countries are gathering to discuss topics including the protection of world canal heritage, waterway upgrades and basin-coordinated development. The conference is hosted by Inland Waterways International (IWI). Previous editions were held in Yangzhou, East China’s Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2019. This marks the third time the conference has been held in China. (Photos: Cui Meng/GT)