In Cambodia, the proposed $1.16bn Funan Techo Canal would connect the
Mekong River to the Gulf of Thailand, distorting downstream water flow to
Vietnam. It would allow Cambodia to bypass the Mekong river delta when
shipping products abroad, thereby reducing Cambodia's current reliance on
Vietnamese ports.
Hun Sen and his son Hun Manet have staked their reputation heavily on the
building of the canal, and have claimed that Chinese firms would contribute up
to 49% of the necessary funding, with Cambodia maintaining 51% ownership.
However, investors are worried about its low economic viability, and the costs of
long-term maintenance.
Excavation will begin in end-December 2025.