Cambodia begins construction on the Funan Techo canal project.

The stage for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Funan Techo canal in Kandal province, as shown in this photo taken before the event. (Source: The Phnom Penh Post)

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Prek Takeo village, Samrong Thom commune, Kean Svay district, Kandal province, about 35 km from the center of Phnom Penh, which is also the starting point of the future Funan Techo canal.

At exactly 9:09 AM on August 5th (local time), Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife Pich Chanmony performed the ceremony of pressing the button to officially launch the Funan Techo canal project.

The Funan Techo Canal is a waterway project connecting rivers to the sea, with a total length of 180km, stretching across four provinces of Cambodia: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep.

The project has a total investment of $1.7 billion from domestic and foreign investment sources, and is being implemented under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with expected completion after 48 months of construction.

Earlier in May 2024, in response to a question from a domestic journalist regarding Vietnam's reaction to Cambodia's Funan Techo canal project, Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang emphasized that Vietnam always values ​​and prioritizes the good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability with Cambodia in its foreign policy, and wishes for the relationship between the two countries to develop further in depth, practicality, and effectiveness in all fields for the benefit of the people of both countries.

The leaders of the two Parties and two States affirmed that the historical tradition of solidarity and close ties between Vietnam and Cambodia is an extremely important factor and a great source of strength for the cause of national liberation and independence protection in the past, as well as for the construction and development of each country today.

Vietnam has always supported, rejoiced in, and highly appreciated the achievements Cambodia has made in recent times.

Regarding the Funan Techo canal project, Vietnam is very interested in and respects Cambodia's legitimate interests in the spirit of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Mekong River Commission and the traditional friendly neighborly relations between the two countries.

Vietnam hopes that Cambodia will continue to cooperate closely with Vietnam and other countries in the Mekong River Commission to share information, fully assess the impact of this project on water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong sub-region, and implement appropriate management measures to ensure a harmonious balance of interests among riparian countries, manage and utilize Mekong River water resources effectively and sustainably, for the sustainable development of the basin, solidarity among riparian countries, and the future of generations to come.