“Cambodia Plans Controversial Canal in August: PM”

“Cambodia Plans Controversial Canal in August: PM”,Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, disclosed plans on Thursday (May 30) for the construction of a contentious $1.7 billion canal project. The canal is set to connect the capital city of Phnom Penh to the sea, with work scheduled to commence in August.

The Chinese-backed Funan Techo Canal has raised concerns in neighboring Vietnam, with fears that
it could potentially be utilized by Chinese warships. Additionally, there are worries that the canal
project could decrease Cambodia’s reliance on Vietnamese ports, impacting regional dynamics and
trade relationships.

Environmentalists have expressed apprehension over the proposed 180km Funan Techo Canal,
fearing that its construction could diminish water flow to the Mekong River, which is renowned for
its biodiversity and ecological significance.

Under former leader Hun Sen, Cambodia, as one of Beijing’s closest regional allies, received billions
of dollars in infrastructure investments from China.

Hun Manet, son of former leader Hun Sen, has stated that funding for the Funan Techo Canal project
will primarily come from Cambodian sources. “We will do it now, we can’t wait for anybody any longer,” Hun Manet said in a speech on Thursday.