China Cambodia Funan Techo Canal Project Advances
The Cambodia Funan Techo Canal project has once again demonstrated the resilience of Cambodia-China relations. Furthermore, it has exposed the inaccuracies of Western and international media reports. Recent developments unequivocally confirm the project’s progress. This happening, despite claims from outlets like Reuters and CNA about alleged financial setbacks and potential Chinese withdrawal.
On November 26, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn met with Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin to reaffirm China’s unwavering support for the canal. This meeting, held ahead of Sokhonn’s official visit to China, underscored China’s commitment to Cambodia’s development and strategic projects. Ambassador Wang reiterated support for the Funan Techo Canal, alongside other initiatives such as the Fish and Rice Corridor and the Industrial Development Corridor.
Cambodia DPM chides international media reports on canal project during meeting with China
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, chairman of the canal project’s commission, has robustly dismissed reports suggesting delays. He confirmed that Chinese investors had fully endorsed feasibility studies during a November 19 meeting. Progress, although affected by seasonal challenges, remains on track. Chanthol’s sharp criticism of unverified media reports highlighted the credibility gap of such claims, stating, “The journalists writing that report seem to have spoken to the watchers and the critics. Why not ask those who are actually doing the work?”
The canal, a $1.7 billion, 180-kilometer infrastructure, will connect Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand via Kep province. It will reduce Cambodia’s dependence on Vietnamese ports and enhance national economic sovereignty. However, the project’s geopolitical implications have made the U.S. wary. By enabling Chinese warships to bypass potential blockades in the Taiwan Straits or the South China Sea, the canal bolsters Beijing’s strategic mobility in Southeast Asia.
International skepticism has been overshadowed by Cambodia’s clear intent and China’s proactive involvement. The upcoming “Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025” further exemplifies the depth of bilateral ties. Sokhonn’s ongoing visit to China, involving meetings with high-ranking officials, reaffirms that the canal project—and Cambodia’s strategic partnership with China—remains firmly on course. Western media narratives, reliant on anonymous sources, have once again failed to align with on-the-ground realities.
