Construction of China-backed canal in Cambodia sparks fears in neighbouring Vietnam
- The Chinese-backed Funan Techo canal sparked fears in Vietnam that it could be used by Chinese warships, and reduce Cambodian dependence on Vietnamese ports
- Cambodia has received billions from China in infrastructure investments as one of Beijing’s closest regional allies under former leader Hun Sen
Cambodia will start work on a controversial US$1.7-billion canal linking the capital Phnom Penh to the sea in August, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Thursday.
The Chinese-backed Funan Techo canal has sparked fears in neighbouring Vietnam that it could be used by Chinese warships, and reduce Cambodian dependence on Vietnamese ports.
Environmentalists are also concerned that the 180-kilometre (110-mile) canal will potentially reduce water flow to the Mekong, among the world’s most biodiverse rivers.
Cambodia received billions from China in infrastructure investments as one of Beijing’s closest regional allies under former leader Hun Sen.
Hun Manet, his son, said the Funan Techo canal would mostly be funded by Cambodians and that the government is in talks with a Chinese company for further investment.
“We will do it now, we can’t wait for anybody any longer,” Hun Manet said in a speech on Thursday.
Opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy, who lives in exile, has alleged that the project would serve the interest of China.