Opinion
Canal to be vessel for commerce and cooperation, not conflict or coercion
Sun ChantholMay 25, 2024 05:00 JST
Nikkei Asia
The Mekong riverfront in Phnom Penh: The new waterway will provide a direct route for trade, reducing dependence on foreign ports. © AP
Sun Chanthol is deputy prime minister of Cambodia and first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
Stretching 180 kilometers from the dynamic heart of Phnom Penh to the tranquil shores of Kep province on the Gulf of Thailand, the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management project, unveiled in May 2023, will modernize Cambodia's ancient waterways and bring a new era of economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Revitalizing a waterway utilized by the ancient Funan kingdom over 2,000 years ago, the canal will be widened to 100 meters and deepened to 5.4 meters to accommodate vessels up to 3,000 deadweight metric tons. This will require the construction of three water gate systems and 11 bridges.
Environmental advocates, social planners and geopolitical analysts have rightfully scrutinized the proposed water management system. The welfare of the Mekong River ecosystem, the livelihoods of local communities and the balance of regional power dynamics are matters the Cambodian government is approaching not with defiance but with the utmost responsibility.
This ambitious and scrupulously planned waterway project is underpinned by a commitment to economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and regional stability.
Sun Chanthol is deputy prime minister of Cambodia and first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
Stretching 180 kilometers from the dynamic heart of Phnom Penh to the tranquil shores of Kep province on the Gulf of Thailand, the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management project, unveiled in May 2023, will modernize Cambodia's ancient waterways and bring a new era of economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Revitalizing a waterway utilized by the ancient Funan kingdom over 2,000 years ago, the canal will be widened to 100 meters and deepened to 5.4 meters to accommodate vessels up to 3,000 deadweight metric tons. This will require the construction of three water gate systems and 11 bridges.
Environmental advocates, social planners and geopolitical analysts have rightfully scrutinized the proposed water management system. The welfare of the Mekong River ecosystem, the livelihoods of local communities and the balance of regional power dynamics are matters the Cambodian government is approaching not with defiance but with the utmost responsibility.
This ambitious and scrupulously planned waterway project is underpinned by a commitment to economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and regional stability.
By providing a direct route for trade, the waterway will reduce Cambodia's dependence on overland routes and foreign ports, lowering logistics costs and bolstering the country's role in global and regional markets.
Beyond trade, the expanded waterway system is expected to spur significant economic growth, including substantial job creation and industrial development. New commercial zones along the waterway will attract both domestic and international investment, diversifying Cambodia's economy. The new infrastructure will also boost tourism and, by offering better irrigation, increase agricultural productivity, benefiting Cambodia's agrarian society.
Crucially, the strategic significance of the expanded waterway will attract more foreign investment into Cambodia, particularly in industries related to shipping, logistics and manufacturing, to take advantage of improved transport links.
The project will deliver vast social benefits, enhancing access to education and health care, improving food and water security, providing better transportation and logistics services for agriculture products, minimizing risks of flood and drought, and delivering many other essential services for local populations.
At every step, community voices will be heard and their welfare prioritized, with participatory planning and equitable compensation at the forefront of our efforts. This expanded infrastructure is for every Cambodian, a collective endeavor that will ensure shared prosperity.
A fisherman stranded by drought in Kandal province in 2016: The new waterway will prevent water levels from significantly changing. © Reuters
Meticulous environmental impact assessments conducted with 48 international specialists will ensure that the modernized waterway respects the natural heritage of the Mekong River and is in full compliance with the 1995 Mekong Agreement signed by Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
In the spirit of full transparency, Cambodia notified the Mekong River Commission in August 2023 of the project's details and our study findings, underscoring our commitment to regional cooperation and responsibility.
The project will prevent water levels from significantly changing and maintain the region's natural water flow. Sophisticated hydrological models predict only a 0.06% impact on the Mekong River's daily outflow during dry season and no impact at all during flood season. The waterway will create new natural habitats and ecosystems, and protect against saltwater intrusion, thus preserving the Mekong Delta's biodiversity.
Additionally, the initiative will improve water management across five Cambodian provinces, reducing the occurrence of droughts while mitigating flash flooding within the country and minimizing the risk that local flooding will affect Vietnam.
Cambodia is a peace-loving nation committed to regional stability and shared prosperity. I can confirm that the expanded Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management project will operate under the sacrosanct principles of Cambodia's constitution, founded on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and expressly prohibiting the hosting of foreign military bases.
In short, the waterway will be a vessel for commerce and cooperation, not conflict or coercion. With resounding support from Cambodians at home and abroad, we are determined to carry out this transformative scheme.
It stands as a testament to Cambodia's unwavering dedication to socioeconomic progress, environmental protection and sustainable development for our nation, our people and the region.
Meticulous environmental impact assessments conducted with 48 international specialists will ensure that the modernized waterway respects the natural heritage of the Mekong River and is in full compliance with the 1995 Mekong Agreement signed by Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
In the spirit of full transparency, Cambodia notified the Mekong River Commission in August 2023 of the project's details and our study findings, underscoring our commitment to regional cooperation and responsibility.
The project will prevent water levels from significantly changing and maintain the region's natural water flow. Sophisticated hydrological models predict only a 0.06% impact on the Mekong River's daily outflow during dry season and no impact at all during flood season. The waterway will create new natural habitats and ecosystems, and protect against saltwater intrusion, thus preserving the Mekong Delta's biodiversity.
Additionally, the initiative will improve water management across five Cambodian provinces, reducing the occurrence of droughts while mitigating flash flooding within the country and minimizing the risk that local flooding will affect Vietnam.
Cambodia is a peace-loving nation committed to regional stability and shared prosperity. I can confirm that the expanded Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management project will operate under the sacrosanct principles of Cambodia's constitution, founded on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and expressly prohibiting the hosting of foreign military bases.
In short, the waterway will be a vessel for commerce and cooperation, not conflict or coercion. With resounding support from Cambodians at home and abroad, we are determined to carry out this transformative scheme.
It stands as a testament to Cambodia's unwavering dedication to socioeconomic progress, environmental protection and sustainable development for our nation, our people and the region.
1 comment:
I firmly believe the advantages of the new canal far outweigh the disadvantages.
I wholeheartedly support such a project.
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