Cambodia has initiated the construction of a $1.7 billion canal project, funded by China, that aims to link the capital city of Phnom Penh to the sea. The Funan Techo canal, spanning 180 kilometers, is set to connect Phnom Penh with Kep province on the south coast of Cambodia, providing access to the Gulf of Thailand. The canal, measuring 100 meters wide and 5.4 meters deep, is intended to reduce shipping costs to Cambodia's deep-sea port in Sihanoukville and decrease reliance on Vietnamese ports.
The project underscores China's significant influence in Cambodian politics and economy. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential environmental impact of the canal, particularly on the flow of the Mekong River, which sustains millions of people across six countries through its fish and agriculture.
