Cambodia will begin construction of its Chinese-backed US$1.7 billion Techo Funan canal this August, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Thursday (May 31), describing the development as a “historic project”.
The 180-km canal that will connect the Mekong River basin to the Cambodian coast has caused tension between Cambodia and neighbouring Vietnam, and sparked fears that it could be used by Chinese warships. Cambodia has dismissed those claims as baseless.
Acknowledging concerns about the project Hun Manet described the strategic infrastructure development as a “historic project” in the nation’s interest.
