Cambodia begins development of canal connecting Mekong River to sea | Surroundings Information

International Courant

Phnom Penh says the undertaking has an financial worth of $1.7 billion, amid considerations that it may very well be utilized by Chinese language warships.

Cambodia has launched into a controversial canal undertaking to attach the Mekong River to the ocean.

Work on the $1.7 billion undertaking started Monday. Phnom Penh hopes the canal will enhance the nation’s financial system. Nonetheless, there are considerations about its impression on the area’s atmosphere and international relations.

The Funan Techo Canal will run from a spot on the Mekong River about an hour’s drive southeast of Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand. It’s scheduled for completion in 2028.

The canal is a pet undertaking of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and can also be seen as a nationally stimulating enterprise geared toward constructing help for his son and successor, Prime Minister Hun Manet, who took over on the finish of his father’s 38-year rule final 12 months.

The federal government declared Monday – additionally Hun Sen’s birthday – a public vacation so Cambodians might participate within the “celebration in a joyful, vibrant and proud method”.

On the launch, Hun Manet known as the 180 km (110 mile) lengthy undertaking “historic” and stated it is going to give the nation a “nostril to breathe via”.

“This undertaking isn’t just an infrastructure undertaking, however a nationalist enterprise,” Hun Manet added. “We should construct this canal in any respect prices.”

Insecurity

Regardless of the hope, the undertaking is shrouded in uncertainty, particularly as neighboring Vietnam expresses considerations.

Cambodia hopes the waterway will scale back its export dependence on Vietnamese ports.

There are additionally considerations concerning the function of China, which Phnom Penh says will finance a part of the undertaking.

Alarm bells are so excessive that some fear the canal may very well be utilized by Chinese language warships. Beijing’s ally Cambodia held its largest joint army workout routines with China in Might.

In December, two Chinese language warships made their first go to to the Ream naval base in Cambodia, elevating considerations about better Chinese language affect within the Gulf of Thailand.

Cambodia has repeatedly denied that the bottom is meant to be used by a international energy.

One other main concern is the canal’s impression on the atmosphere.

Conservationists have lengthy warned that the Mekong, which accounts for a couple of quarter of the world’s freshwater fish catch and half of Vietnam’s rice manufacturing, is in danger from infrastructure initiatives, air pollution, sand mining and local weather change.

Cambodia begins development of canal connecting Mekong River to sea | Surroundings Information

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