(Phnom Penh): The Funan Techo Canal Project is not a source of hostility or mutual suspicion between Cambodia and Viet Nam, and no official documents exist to suggest otherwise, according to Suos Yara, Spokesperson for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
Suos Yara made the remarks on Sunday (Feb. 8) during a press conference on the outcomes of bilateral and trilateral meetings among the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam, hosted by Cambodia.
“Regarding the Funan Techo Canal Project, there is no official document between Cambodia and Viet Nam indicating hostility or suspicion. There is none,” he said, stressing that cooperation on the project is based on mutual understanding. He added that past misunderstandings stemmed largely from media reports containing fake news and misinformation. He added that fake news refers to deliberately fabricated information spread with malicious intent, while false information involves inaccurate or misleading reporting.
Suos Yara explained that the Funan Techo Canal is primarily designed for flood control, water conservation, and water flow management, as well as for regulating water distribution for agriculture and irrigation. The project, he said, is intended to complement regional water management systems.
The spokesperson further explained that once completed, the canal will benefit Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Laos, which are interconnected by shared river systems, by improving navigation and regional connectivity. Claims that the project generates tensions among the countries, he stressed, are personal interpretations and do not reflect the official positions of responsible state institutions.
The Funan Techo Canal Project is a river-to-sea waterway approximately 180 kilometres long, with a top width of about 100 meters, a bottom width of around 80 meters, and a water depth of approximately 5.4 meters. It will feature two navigation channels and extend from the Takeo Canal on the Mekong River, through Po Canal and Tahing Canal of the Bassac River, to the sea in Kep Province, crossing Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep provinces.
Most of the canal will follow existing natural and ancient waterways dating back to the Funan Kingdom era. Of the total length, about 135 kilometres utilize existing waterways, 38 kilometres will be straightened to reduce excessive curves, and roughly 7 kilometres will be newly excavated to improve efficiency and connectivity.
The project is expected to take around 48 months to complete, with completion targeted for 2028. The total investment is estimated at USD 1.7 billion, with 51 percent funded by Cambodian public enterprises and local companies, and 49 percent by China Road and Bridge Corporation under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model.
=FRESH NEWS
