Cambodia: Following international controversies over Funan Techo Canal project, govt. gain local support for canal construction
"Mass Public Support Received For Funan Techo Canal, Thwarting International Criticism, Research Report", 30 April 2024
The Funan Techo canal has received overwhelming response from Cambodians following Senate president Hun Sen’s call to locals to show their support after a string of criticism and negative news on the project…
… At the Cambodian Oknha Association gala dinner …, Hun Sen said he needed to respond to the criticism on behalf of Cambodia and how the project would benefit the country. He called for support from Cambodians to make the Funan Techo canal a national monument.
Citizens, workers, government units and students joined the movement to support the project, speaking out via videos and petitions, and posting it on social media…
Separately, several riverine communities, who will be affected by the canal project, have said they support the project but hope that will be properly compensated.
... It would be remarkable if Cambodia developed the project with transparency and accountability, and was funded by local tycoons, he added, however Vietnam might be worried as the canal was a build-operate-transfer (BOT) project with a Chinese company.
… Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told … that they support the demand for socio-economic development of Mekong river riparian countries.
It also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation for effective and sustainable management and use of the Mekong River water resources because it is critical for the sustainable development of the basin and the interests of communities in the basin, the future of the next generation, and solidarity among riparian nations.
… Following the notification, the MRC secretariat transmitted it to the other member countries as per their procedure, it said …