The development of the Prek Chik Funan Techo project is started

The Funan Techo channel project is a notable stream project. It will start to introduce development hardware soon. This will happen once the settlement of individuals’ farmland influences is finished. The development of the Prek Chik Funan Techo project is started. His Excellency Sun Chanthol, Delegate Top State Leader, affirmed this. He is the First VP of the Gathering for the Improvement of Cambodia.

He addressed correspondents during a visit to the US. He said: ” We are dealing with the development of the waterway project. However, we will do nothing unless we address the effect. ” His Excellency proceeded with that, stating the Imperial Government will resolve this issue. They will make fitting installments according to the market cost. The development of the Prek Chik Funan Techo project is started and will proceed after the impact issues are resolved.

Everyone in our community, please sit back and relax. Our administration doesn’t take the land without paying him. We pay him according to the market and a genuine method. Try not to require that day tomorrow. Let him move. I say somewhere around a half year to 1 year. We can tackle it before we start. This is an extra assertion of His Excellency Sun Chanthol.

Please be informed that this Funan Techo Waterway project was started on August 5, 2024. The project has a length of 180 km. It starts from the Takeo Channel of the Mekong Stream, crossing the Ta Ek Trench of the Bassac Stream. It then enters the Ta Hing channel of the Bassac Stream. Koh Thom area reaches out to the ocean of Kep territory, going through four regions: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep. The development of the Prek Chik Funan Techo project is started with a vast network of interconnected waterways.

The stream undertaking will cost $ 1.7 billion, a joint endeavor between the Cambodian and Chinese organization CRBC as a BOT. The Cambodian organization holds 51% speculation capital. The CRBC organization holds 49% venture capital. The project is planned to be finished in 2028.

For more updates on this and other major projects, visit howtokh.com for the latest insights and news. The Prek Chik Funan Techo project has started. It is expected to make significant progress in the coming years.

The Funan Techo Canal project is a major infrastructure initiative in Cambodia. China’s involvement is a key aspect of it. Below are the reasons from both the Cambodian and Chinese perspectives.

Why is the Cambodian Government Building the Funan Techo Canal?

The Cambodian government is promoting this project as a cornerstone of national economic development. Prime Minister Hun Manet leads this initiative. It is also aimed at achieving strategic autonomy. The primary motivations are:

1. Economic Development and Logistics Efficiency:

• Reducing Reliance on Vietnamese Ports: Currently, about 90% of Cambodia’s international trade passes through the Mekong River. It must be transshipped at deep-sea ports in Vietnam (like Cai Mep and Ho Chi Minh City). This involves logistical bottlenecks, cross-border delays, and additional costs (port fees, handling charges, etc.).
• Creating a Direct Route: The canal will provide a direct shipping route from Phnom Penh and its surrounding industrial areas. It will connect to a new Cambodian deep-sea port on the coast at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS). The canal will also connect to the new Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP). This is expected to slash transport time and costs significantly.
• Boosting Competitiveness: Cheaper logistics make Cambodian exports, such as garments, agricultural products, and footwear, more competitive. Faster logistics also enhance competitiveness on the global market. It also makes the country more attractive for foreign direct investment (FDI) by offering efficient supply chain solutions.

2. National Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy:

• This is a profoundly nationalistic project. Having its own direct waterway reduces Cambodia’s strategic dependence on Vietnam for its maritime access. This gives Phnom Penh greater control over its economic destiny and trade security.

3. Regional Development and Job Creation:

• The project is expected to stimulate economic activity. It will affect the four provinces it will pass through (Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep). This includes new infrastructure, services, and businesses springing up along the route.
• The construction phase is projected to create thousands of jobs. There will be ongoing employment opportunities in logistics, port operations, and maintenance.

4. Agricultural and Water Management:

• The canal system is designed to help regulate water flow. It operates in the Mekong Delta basin. This area is known as the Funan Techo area in Cambodia. It aims to:
  • Store freshwater for irrigation during the dry season.
  • Help mitigate flooding during the wet season.
  • Prevent saltwater intrusion from the sea into agricultural land.

Why is China Involved in This Project?

China’s involvement follows a natural course. It extends from its broader foreign policy and economic strategy. This is particularly evident in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

1. Advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):

• The Funan Techo Canal is a flagship project under the BRI umbrella. Financing large-scale infrastructure projects is a core tenet of the BRI. The initiative involves building such projects around the world. It aims to create new trade routes and deepen economic interdependence.
• It enhances connectivity within Southeast Asia, a key region for China’s own supply chains.

2. Deepening Strategic Influence in Southeast Asia:

• Cambodia is one of China’s closest and most reliable allies in ASEAN. By funding this transformative national project, China significantly deepens its strategic and economic footprint within the country.
• It strengthens ties with the Cambodian leadership and ensures Cambodia remains within China’s sphere of influence. This is crucial for China in navigating regional diplomacy. This includes issues related to the South China Sea.

3. Commercial and Contractual Benefits for Chinese Companies:

• The project will be undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a major state-owned enterprise. This means the $1.7 billion investment largely flows back to a Chinese company, securing a massive contract and profits for it.
• The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model means CRBC will likely operate the canal and collect revenue (e.g., tolls) for decades before transferring ownership to Cambodia.

4. Creating an Alternative Supply Chain Route:

• While not the primary reason, a new, efficient waterway in a friendly country adds resilience to regional logistics networks. In the long term, it could offer an additional route for goods, complementing existing ones.

Important Context and Controversies

It’s crucial to note that the project is not without its concerns:

• Environmental Impact: Environmentalists and Vietnamese officials have raised concerns. They worry about the project’s impact on the fragile ecosystem of the Mekong Delta. There are worries about it affecting water flow. It may alter sediment deposition, which is crucial for agriculture. It could also impact salinity levels in Vietnam’s part of the delta.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Vietnam has cautiously requested more information. They view the project through a lens of potential environmental impact. They also consider its strategic impact. Some analysts see it as a move by China to further pull Cambodia away from Vietnam’s influence.
• Debt Sustainability: The project adds to Cambodia’s debt to China. While the Cambodian government asserts it is manageable, critics often warn about the potential for “debt-trap diplomacy.”

Summary

In essence, Cambodia is building the canal for national economic and strategic reasons. China is joining to advance its geopolitical and commercial interests under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a classic example of a symbiotic, yet complex, relationship where both parties have aligned, but not identical, goals.