Cambodia breaks ground on Funan Techo Canal with ‘spectacular’ celebration

[ety]

Cambodia breaks ground on Funan Techo Canal with ‘spectacular’ celebration​

National​

Publication date
05 August 2024 | 09:21 ICT

Reporter : Niem Chheng

The stage for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo Canal in Kandal province. The photo was taken prior to the event, showcasing the preparations in place. TVK

Cambodia officially broke ground on the historic Funan Techo Canal this morning at 9:09am, with more than 10,000 participants attending a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

"I hereby declare the groundbreaking for the construction of the Funan Techo Canal,” the prime minister announced.

Manet stated that the project aligns with the vision of Cambodian ancestors from 2000 years ago, during the Funan era. He noted that during that time, there were several canals serving international trade, including exchanges with India.

“This project is not just an infrastructure project, but a nationalistic endeavour,” he said, emphasising the overwhelming approval from people across the Kingdom.

“This is the first time we see such widespread support for an undertaking, even from some supporters of opposition parties,” he added.

The event featured a large-scale concert, the symbolic push of a button representing the start of construction and fireworks launched from a ferry on the Mekong River.

Simultaneously, across the country, celebrations included ringing gongs, beating drums and other festivities. In Phnom Penh, Kandal and other provinces, large concerts and traditional events such as Kun Khmer performances will take place tonight to commemorate the groundbreaking.

The 180-kilometre canal will connect the Mekong River at Prek Takeo village in Samrong Thom commune of Kandal province’s Kien Svay district to the sea in Kep. The construction, costing $1.7 billion, is set to be completed in four years.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport stated that the investment for the project is divided into two phases. The first stage, spanning 21 kilometres, is funded by local Cambodian companies, while the second (159 kilometres) is a joint venture between Cambodian enterprises (51 per cent) and the China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) at 49 per cent.

The canal will have a width of 100 metres at its upstream end and 80 metres downstream, with a depth of 5.4m. It will accommodate two-lane navigation, include three sluices and 11 bridge crossings and will be flanked by roads on either side.

Analysts believe that the canal will bring numerous benefits to the country, including reducing the cost and time of transporting goods, which currently pass through the port of Vietnam and are transported to and from the port of Sihanoukville via lorry. It will also help alleviate flooding and improve irrigation systems in the provinces it traverses.

 

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[ety]

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Lol, Vietnamese call China's building of the Cambodian canal a debt trap while they want China to build railroads and metros for them in Vietnam.

 

[AViet]

Lol, Vietnamese call China's building of the Cambodian canal a debt trap while they want China to build railroads and metros for them in Vietnam.

No one in Vietnam says that, except those cheap Youtubers who want to make cheap money with provocative titles.

 

[JsCh]

The Cambodian people has the right to pursue happiness in their prefer way.

It seem to me that the reasons for objection from some Vietnamese is not valid, since Cambodian action is all within the norm of international law and sovereign right.

 

[Viet]

The Cambodian people has the right to pursue happiness in their prefer way.

It seem to me that the reasons for objection from some Vietnamese is not valid, since Cambodian action is all within the norm of international law and sovereign right.

previously Laos goes bankrupt with Hsr. also, the Khmer will go bankrupt with this project. I feel bad for them. almost the entire exports and imports from Laos, Cambodia go into Vietnam. such projects to bypass Vietnam will lead to deadend.

 

[ety]

previously Laos goes bankrupt with Hsr. also, the Khmer will go bankrupt with this project. I feel bad for them. almost the entire exports and imports from Laos, Cambodia go into Vietnam. such projects to bypass Vietnam will lead to deadend.

Laos goes bankrupt only in your mind. Vietnamese just don't want your immediate neighbors to develop, lol.

 

[Viet]

Laos goes bankrupt only in your mind. Vietnamese just don't want your immediate neighbors to develop, lol.

Laos debts is 123% of GDP in 2023. now 2024 is worse. just a matter of time the debt will reach 150%. Laos main incomes are chinese tourists, exports of raw materials and selling electricity to Vietnam. that´s hopeless.

Laos debt at 'critical level' with China payments still opaque

Economists say ASEAN nation obscuring true scale of crisis

asia.nikkei.com

 

[ety]

Laos debts is 123% of GDP in 2023. now 2024 is worse. just a matter of time the debt will reach 150%. Laos main incomes are chinese tourists, exports of raw materials and selling electricity to Vietnam. that´s hopeless.

Laos debt at 'critical level' with China payments still opaque

Economists say ASEAN nation obscuring true scale of crisis

asia.nikkei.com

Claims of default in Laos are bankrupt

Laos faces enormous economic challenges but strong relations with China mean that talk of a default are nothing but hearsay.

eastasiaforum.org

 

[Viet]

Claims of default in Laos are bankrupt

Laos faces enormous economic challenges but strong relations with China mean that talk of a default are nothing but hearsay.

eastasiaforum.org

Ccp will write off the debts. 50 percent minimum. Laos can´t pay back in full. That’s impossible. Same for at least 50 countries that have huge chinese debts.

 

[ety]

Ccp will write off the debts. 50 percent minimum. Laos can´t pay back in full. That’s impossible. Same for at least 50 countries that have huge chinese debts.

You wish.

 

[冖_冖]

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[冖_冖]

China-Cambodia Cooperation: Second section of Funan Techo Canal project launched

Cambodia has officially launched the second section of the Funan Techo Canal project in a joint venture with China. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin attended the opening ceremony. China Media Group's Fu Xinri reports.

news.cgtn.com

China-Cambodia Cooperation: Second section of Funan Techo Canal project launched

13:06, 13-Apr-2026

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Cambodia has officially launched the second section of the Funan Techo Canal project in a joint venture with China. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin attended the opening ceremony. China Media Group's Fu Xinri reports.

FU XINRI Takeo province, Cambodia "I am standing at the construction site of the second section of Funan Techo Canal project in Takeo province, Cambodia. It is regarded as an important infrastructure development and is expected to improve Cambodia's water transport capability in the future."

In his speech, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the Funan Techo Canal Project is a major infrastructure project of profound strategic significance, connecting Cambodia's river system with the sea and rebuilding a historically important transport corridor. He added that, upon completion, the project will support Cambodia in building a regional logistics hub around Sihanoukville Port, promoting more active port transport along the route, enhancing Cambodia's water transport capacity, and driving port development in the upper Mekong River, Tonle Sap River, and Bassac River basins. It will contribute to promoting economic development and trade growth.

China's ambassador Wang Wenbin expressed warm congratulations on the commencement of the project and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese and Cambodian construction workers involved, together with friends from different fields who have shown concern and support for the project. Wang stated that the main part of the second section of the Funan Techo Canal Project will be developed by a company jointly formed by China and Cambodia, with Cambodia holding 51% of the shares and China holding 49%.

 

[2ndstrike]

Meanwhile Viet Nam completely blocks Cambodia access to the southern sea route by building the road from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc island. From now on, Cambodia has to detour to a longer route if they go out at sea

 

[冖_冖]

Cambodia Secures $400M Loan and Grant for Funan Canal Infrastructure

China approved a $200 million low-interest loan for the Funan Techo Canal’s ship lock and irrigation system, alongside $200 million in grant to build several bridges on the canal

kiripost.com

Cambodia Secures $400M Loan and Grant for Funan Canal Infrastructure

China approved a $200 million low-interest loan for the Funan Techo Canal’s ship lock and irrigation system, alongside $200 million in grant to build several bridges on the canal

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 11:04 AM(GMT+7)

Cambodia has secured a concessional loan worth $200 million as well as a $200 million grant from China to construct the $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal, according to Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Chanthol, who is also First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, said investors are being encouraged to invest in the country because of its pro-business government, young and dynamic workforce, and infrastructure. Cambodia aims to be a centre for manufacturing and for logistics for ASEAN, he added.

“We got approval from China for a $200 million loan to build the ship lock and irrigation in the canal. The terms are very good: 1.25 percent interest rate, 20-year loan period for that ship lock. In addition to that, China would grant $200 million to build six or seven bridges crossing the canal.”

Additionally, syndicated loans from China would provide close to $1 billion to the concessionaire to build the canal. “The canal is a game changer for inland waterway transport in Cambodia,” he said. “We would like to shift from land transport to inland waterway transport to reduce road damage and accidents, and also shipping cost, [transport] time and CO2 emissions with the building of the canal.

He also pointed out that the canal project would not cause problems between Cambodia and Vietnam, because “some shipments would still go to Vietnam, and some through Cambodia’s port”.

“So what we do is to create an environment for Cambodia to grow; to make the pie bigger so everybody can benefit from that pie,” he said, dismissing the notion that the canal could undercut the economic or security relationship with Vietnam. “On the contrary, it would expand cooperation with our neighbouring country.”