The Funan Techo Canal built by China and Cambodia is scheduled to be accomplished in 2028. However, doubts about the 180-km waterway have been unabated since its launch in August this year.
The artificial canal, estimated to cost 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, starts from about 30 kilometers southeast of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, passing through the country's four provinces of Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep.
At the "Southeast Asia Forum" International Conference co-organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the South China Normal University held in Guangzhou recently, Chandarith Neak, Founding Director of Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Centre at the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, received the exclusive interview of GDToday.
Mr. Neak noted that the Funan Techo Canal was a win-win connection for all the Cambodian people. The waterway established in the old canal would benefit the provinces running through it and give a promising future to Cambodia's shipping autonomy.
An aerial view shows heavy construction equipment lining the edge of the canal after a groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo Canal in Kandal province on August 5, 2024. (CFP Photo)
Quoting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet's words that the canal will secure his country to be "breathing through our own nose", Mr. Neak told GDToday that the canal entails shipping autonomy for Cambodia. Also, the completed waterway will have reduced the cost of logistics.
"We import quite a lot. We export quite a lot, particularly the commodity products we export. And we have to go through Vietnam," he pointed out.
According to Mr. Neak, shipping is not only about the cost, but also about the time that it takes to clear through. However, the commodity cannot wait for the time when in another country.
"We need to maintain a high standard. This is the thing that we need to reduce dependence on another port," he added.
Once completed, the canal will create a waterway linking Phnom Penh and the country's only deep-sea port at Sihanoukville and the new Kampot port.
This mega project is among the imperative infrastructure projects promulgated by PM Hun Manet's government since it took office in August.
Smoke bombs are ignited during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Funan Techo Canal in Kandal province on August 5, 2024. (CFP Photo)
Another benefit for Cambodia, based on Mr. Neak's observation, is that the Funan Techo Canal connects the southern provinces in Cambodia, which are considered underdeveloped.
"They are not part of the other special economic zones or corridors. So the canal connects the waterway as part of the logistics and is also part of our strategies to develop agriculture and the green areas of these provinces," Mr. Neak noted.
The two-lane canal will be 100 meters wide and 5.4 meters deep, capable of accommodating cargo vessels of up to 3,000 tons. An estimated 1.6 million Cambodian people living on both sides of the waterway will benefit from it.
Additionally, Mr. Neak underscored that the waterway was built from the old canal. "We just restored it and made it bigger. The canal provides the irrigation system to the provinces and also restores our ancestors' heritage," he said.
Cambodia values water very much. Mr. Neak introduced to GDToday that if visitors heed the structure of the ancient buildings, they will always find water, just like Feng Shui in China. Ancient Cambodian cities always have moats.
"If you visit Angkor Wat, you would see the water around, such as the hydraulic system and the sewage system," he added.
Reporter: Zhang Ruijun
Video: Pan Jiajun
Script: Zhang Ruijun
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
