Vietnam speaks out on Cambodia's commencement of the Funan Techo canal project.
Báo Dân trí•19/11/2024
(Dan Tri Newspaper) - According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Vietnam supports Cambodia's development efforts and respects Cambodia's implementation of the Funan Techo canal project, and wishes to jointly study and comprehensively assess the project's impact.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ' regular press conference on the afternoon of August 8th, journalists questioned Vietnam's reaction to Cambodia's groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo canal project on August 5th. In response, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet emphasized that the Mekong River is an invaluable asset, connecting the special spirit of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Accordingly, Vietnam hopes that the riparian countries, including Cambodia, will cooperate in managing and developing the Mekong River effectively and sustainably. This is done for the benefit of the communities living in the river basin, as well as for the future of generations to come and the solidarity and close ties between the riparian countries. "In that spirit, Vietnam supports Cambodia's development efforts and respects Cambodia's implementation of the Funan Techo canal project. We also hope to cooperate in researching and comprehensively assessing the project's overall impact, as well as taking appropriate measures to minimize the impact," Mr. Viet said.
Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doan Khac Viet, answers a question about Cambodia's commencement of the Funan Techo canal project (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
On August 5th, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the $1.7 billion canal project. The project aims to open a new route from the Mekong River to the sea. At the event, amidst fireworks and drumming, the Cambodian Prime Minister called the 180km project "historic." Thousands of Cambodians attended the event. "We must build this canal at all costs," said Hun Manet. Earlier, the Cambodian Prime Minister announced that the project would be undertaken by a joint venture between the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, a private company holding 51% ownership, and foreign investors under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) contract.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife pressed the button to officially launch the construction of the Funan Techo canal on August 5 (Photo: AFP).
Iran has again blockaded the Strait of Hormuz.On June 19, Iran reimposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel's refusal to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and the continued presence of US troops in the region.
According to the plan, the Funan Techo Canal will be 100m wide upstream, 80m downstream, and 5.4m deep. The canal will extend approximately 180km (only 10km shorter than the Suez Canal) from Phnom Penh to the coastal province of Kep in Cambodia. It will run through four provinces: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep, with a total population of 1.6 million people living along the waterway. The project is expected to be completed in 2028. According to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, the Funan Techo Canal will increase the competitiveness of Cambodian goods in the market by reducing transportation costs, and will also serve as an irrigation system in southwestern Cambodia. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol stated that the expected water flow through the Funan Techo Canal is 5m³/s, equivalent to 0.053% of the Mekong River's flow. The canal will be used for inland irrigation and fishing.
Báo Dân trí•19/11/2024
