Recently, Cambodia has been located in the southeast of the capital Phnom PenhA grand ceremony was held in the Prek Takeo area to officially launch the $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project. The project, personally announced by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, aims to open up a waterway channel between the Mekong River and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing new shipping opportunities and economic vitality to Cambodia.

The total length of the canal project180 kilometers, expected to be completed by 2028. At the launch ceremony, thousands of people dressed in costumes featuring portraits of Manede and his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, witnessed this historic moment. Accompanied by fireworks and thunderous drums, Prime Minister Manede and his wife pressed the start button together, and cheers erupted from the scene. Manede firmly stated at the ceremony, "We must build this canal at all costs

The construction of the Funanco Canal is considered an important infrastructure project by the Cambodian government, with one of its goals being to reduce dependence on Vietnamese ports. Currently, about one-third of the goods entering and leaving Cambodia are transshipped through Vietnamese ports via the Mekong River. The government expects this proportion to decrease after the completion of the canalAbout 10%, which significantly reduces logistics costs and improves transportation efficiency.

However, the project also faces many challenges and uncertainties. Firstly, the width of the canal is only100 meters and a depth of 5.4 meters have raised questions about its economic benefits and navigation capacity. In addition, the project also needs to address issues such as funding sources, construction difficulties, and the impact on the ecological environment of the Mekong River Basin. As one of the longest rivers in the world, the ecological environment of the Mekong River is of great significance to neighboring countries. The potential threat that canal construction may bring to it has also raised concerns among natural resource conservationists.

Despite facing many challenges, the Cambodian government is confident in the project. The government stated that the canal project will bring enormous economic benefits to Cambodia, create tens of thousands of job opportunities, and promote the development of riverside economic zones along the route. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Zhantuo promised at the launch ceremony that the government will ensure that affected residents receive fair compensation to alleviate their concerns and anxieties.

It is worth noting that the canal project has also raised concerns in neighboring Vietnam. Vietnam is concerned about the potential security risks and strategic impacts of the canal, and is worried that Chinese warships may use the canal to enter the Gulf of Thailand. However, the Cambodian government has made it clear that the canal is not owned by ChinaAs part of the "the Belt and Road" infrastructure plan, the Cambodian naval base can be used by any foreign force.