On the morning of August 5, the Kingdom of Cambodia held a groundbreaking ceremony, officially starting the construction of the Funan Techo Canal project.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and his wife Pich Chanmony, along with many senior Cambodian leaders, international guests and representatives from all walks of life attended the event.

The stage for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Funan Techo Canal in Kandal province, 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 capital, which is also the starting point of the future Funan Techo canal.

At exactly 9:09 a.m. on August 5 (local time), Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife Pich Chanmony performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo Canal project.

The Funan Techo Canal is a 180km long river-to-sea waterway project spanning four provinces of Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep in Cambodia.

The project has a total investment of 1.7 billion USD from domestic and foreign investment capital, implemented under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) form, and is expected to be completed after 48 months of construction.

Previously, in early May 2024, answering questions from domestic press reporters regarding Vietnam's reaction to Cambodia's implementation of the Funan Techo Canal project, Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang emphasized that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives top priority to the good neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability with Cambodia in its foreign policy, wishing for the relationship between the two countries to increasingly develop in depth, practically, and effectively in all fields for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Leaders of the two Parties and States affirmed that the historical tradition of solidarity and close relationship 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 the construction and development of each country today.

Vietnam always supports, is pleased with and highly appreciates 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 accordance with the spirit of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, in accordance with relevant regulations of the Mekong River Commission and the traditional friendly neighborly relations between the two countries.

Vietnam hopes that Cambodia will continue to closely coordinate with Vietnam and other countries in the Mekong River Commission to share information, fully assess the impact of this project on water resources, water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong sub-region, and take appropriate management measures to ensure the harmony of interests of riparian countries, effective and sustainable management and use of water resources and water resources of the Mekong River, for the sustainable development of the basin, solidarity and closeness among riparian countries and the future of future generations.