The Funan Techo Canal will not only be an infrastructural marvel of Cambodia but also a game-changer for the Kingdom’s international politics, said a government representative in an exclusive interview with Khmer Times. He also reiterated the government’s stand that the project on Cambodian territory will not impact Vietnam, which has raised concerns, in any way except for lost revenue from fees levied to ship Cambodian goods through that country’s waterways. According to the Ministry of Transport, the $1.7 billion Tonle Bassac Navigation Road and Logistics System Project, commonly known as the “Funan Techo Canal” project, is scheduled to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony in the fourth quarter of 2024. It is 180 km long from Prek Takeo of the Mekong River, through the Prek Ta Ek of the Bassac River, then into Prek Ta Hing of the Bassac River, Koh Thom district, and extends to the Kep province. It passes through four provinces, including Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep, with a total population of 1.6 million people living on both sides of the waterway. The waterway is 100 metres wide upstream and 80 metres downstream, with a depth of 5.4 metres (a navigation depth of 4.7 metres and a safety gap of 0.7 metres). The project will build three waterway dams, 11 bridges, a 208-kilometre sidewalk, and provide navigation assistance and other cross-river infrastructure. The construction of the new waterway project is estimated to cost $1.7 billion and take about four years to complete. As the huge project is ensured, Vietnam has expressed concern over the canal’s impacts on the Mekong River. However, the Cambodian government has clarified that the Funan Techo Canal will have no major effects in the area. In December, Prime Minister Hun Manet himself, during a visit to Vietnam, reassured Vietnamese leaders that the project would not impact the Mekong River water system, particularly the flow of water downstream, as proven by a 26-month study. The same affirmation was expressed by So Naro, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister in charge of ASEAN affairs, during his appearance on an episode of Cross-Talk on Monday. However, he also claimed that the Cambodian government has full power over the project, which means nothing can prevent the construction of the Funan Techo Canal except the Cambodian government itself. “The statements made so-far and meetings with neighbouring countries are to notify, not even for consulting purposes,” he said. “Still, as of now, after the explanation given by the Prime Minister, we do not see any major objection or reaction. The neighbouring country is simply expressing concern, but there has been no legal procedure or anything.” Naro stated that instead of repercussions, the Funan Techo Canal will provide many benefits to Cambodia and its people, including reducing the time, distance, and cost of current transport, the establishment of commercial areas and logistics centres, and the development of new satellite ports. It is also expected to pave the way for more expansion of agriculture, irrigation, aquaculture, and livestock development areas, not to mention the creation of more jobs at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, and other ports. “It is a crucial project for Cambodia, which, for a century, had not had a direct route from its rivers to the sea. Instead, its goods have had to go through Vietnam,” he added. “Regarding this perspective, Cambodia, like other sovereign countries, has to protect its interests by enhancing its own independence.” “We are not having any negative thoughts about Vietnam; however, when we depend on others for our own survival, it means we are losing some part of our independence. That is why the Funan Techo Canal is not only a historic part of the country’s infrastructure but also a magnificent achievement in Cambodia’s international politics.”Naro explained that with Cambodia gaining benefits from the canal, its neighbouring country is expected to lose some. “Vietnam will lose the tax and fees from Cambodian goods and ships, but we have to bear in mind that we could have much more to lose, including the complete accessibility to the sea if (ever) the two countries enter a dispute,” he said. “Obviously, no one can see the future. We have seen a real-life example during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Vietnamese government restricted the movement inside its territory while Cambodia was longing for a normal flow. Another example is the restriction in China, also during the pandemic, which saw a global shortage of goods.” During his visit to China in October, Mr Hun Manet witnessed the signing ceremony of a Framework Agreement with China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) on the Funan Techo Canal Project. The agreement will allow CRBC to conduct a comprehensive eight-month study of the project’s various aspects. On July 6, last year, the government approved the Funan Techo Canal project to proceed either through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Naro added that the Funan Techo Canal will exist for centuries and thus stand as a historical legacy for future generations. “Cambodia will have this built, no matter what,” he said. “The government has studied it for 26 months, and now the CRBC is conducting more research to make sure everything is okay.” “With so much investment into this, the Funan Techo Canal will be the most historic landmark in the modern era of Cambodia.”