Historic Undertaking
At the launch event, thousands of attendees wore t-shirts featuring images of Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the canal’s importance, declaring, “We must build this canal at all costs.” The event was symbolically initiated by Manet pressing a ceremonial button with his wife, Pich Chanmony.
The Funan Techo canal will extend from a location on the Mekong River, about an hour southeast of Phnom Penh, to the Gulf of Thailand. It is slated for completion in 2028. The project’s primary objective is to reduce Cambodia’s reliance on Vietnamese ports, which currently handle about one-third of the country’s cargo traffic via the Mekong. Authorities hope to cut this reliance to around 10 percent once the canal is operational.
Economic Aspirations and Challenges
Despite the lofty goals, the canal’s limited capacity—100 meters (328 feet) wide and 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) deep—has raised questions about its economic viability. Critics have expressed concerns about whether the canal can meet its ambitious targets for cargo traffic and economic benefits.
Moreover, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the project’s main purpose—whether it will primarily serve shipping or irrigation needs—and its funding sources. Additionally, the impact on the flow of the Mekong River, one of the world’s longest rivers, remains a critical concern. The Mekong supports a quarter of the world’s freshwater fish catch and half of Vietnam’s rice production, making it vital to regional agriculture and ecology.
Environmental and Regional Concerns
Conservationists have long warned about the risks posed to the Mekong River by infrastructure projects, pollution, sand mining, and climate change. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand are signatories to the 1995 Mekong River Agreement, which governs the distribution of the river’s resources. Although Cambodia has notified the Mekong River Commission (MRC) of its canal plans, Vietnam has requested more detailed information about the project’s implications.
Phnom Penh argues that the canal affects only a tributary of the Mekong and thus only requires the notification already submitted. However, the potential environmental impact on the broader Mekong ecosystem remains a contentious issue.
National Significance and Political Symbolism
The canal is seen as a signature infrastructure project of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and is expected to bolster support for his successor, Hun Manet. Hun Sen has metaphorically described the canal as giving Cambodia a “nose to breathe through,” emphasizing its critical importance for the nation’s economic autonomy.
The government asserts that the canal will provide an alternative route for container ships, currently traversing Vietnam before reaching the sea, thus retaining transport revenue within Cambodia. Additionally, the project envisions the creation of riverside economic zones along the canal’s route, potentially generating tens of thousands of jobs in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries.
Local Impact and Compensation Concerns
Villagers living along the projected canal route have expressed mixed feelings about the project. Many residents face expropriation of their homes as construction progresses, and there is widespread anxiety about the adequacy of compensation. Some villagers, not invited to the launch event, voiced their concerns from home.
“We feel both happy and worried because we have not been informed about the compensation,” said a 51-year-old woman who asked to remain anonymous. “We are asking for appropriate compensation. People told us that when there are developments, there are tears. So we are worried about that.”
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who spearheaded the project, assured that the canal would benefit 1.6 million people and create thousands of jobs. He promised that the government would provide “fair compensation” to those affected.
However, rights activists in Cambodia have pointed to a pattern of expropriation for infrastructure projects, which often leaves displaced people struggling to relocate with minimal compensation.
International Involvement and Strategic Concerns
Last year, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a major Chinese construction firm, agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the canal project. While Cambodian officials have suggested that CRBC could finance part of the canal, the company has not yet released its study or made any public funding commitments.
Despite Cambodia’s close ties with Beijing, Prime Minister Hun Sen has denied that the canal will be part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. The project has also sparked fears in neighboring Vietnam that the canal could be utilized by Chinese warships, especially given Cambodia and China’s deepening military ties.
The Funan Techo canal project represents a significant and controversial step in Cambodia’s infrastructural development. With its promise of economic growth and improved connectivity, the project holds great potential. However, the numerous uncertainties and concerns surrounding environmental impact, funding, and local displacement must be carefully managed to ensure that the canal benefits Cambodia without causing undue harm to its people and environment.
Tags: Cambodia, Cambodia canal project, Cambodia economic growth, Cambodian infrastructure, Funan Techo canal, PM Hun Manet, Mekong River, Mekong River Commission, Mekong River to sea, Southeast Asia development, Vietnam ports, Vietnam ports reliance
