After years of development,China’s inland waterway transportation has achieved significant progress,playing an irreplaceable role in regional comprehensive transportation system and economic and social development of the area along the shipping route.We systematically review the development process of China’s inland waterway network since the founding of the People’s Republic of China,analyze the stage characteristics of the volume and composition of inland waterway development,and summarize the crucial supporting role of inland waterway transportation in regional economic and social development.Through comparative analysis with developed countries and regions,we analyze the existing challenges in the development of China’s waterway network deeply.On the basis of the characteristics of different cargo types,such as low-value bulk goods,medium-value bulk goods,and high-value precision goods,we propose a series of development strategies from two dimensions:improving operation efficiency and extending layouts of the inland waterway,put forward enhancing the punctuality and efficiency of lockage,addressing local bottlenecks in high-grade inland waterways,strengthening the integration of water conservancy network,inland waterway network and hydropower network,and promoting efficient connections between high-grade inland waterways and seaports.Focusing on the construction technology of high-dam navigation structures with significant market demand in central and western regions,we systematically identify critical technical bottlenecks that urgently need breakthroughs,such as water conveyance system technology,hydraulic structure of ship lock, gate and valve design,and intermediate channel and navigation tunnel technology.