US, Vietnam fear China-backed Techo Funan Canal in Cambodia could be used for military purposes

“The Cambodian people – along with people in neighbouring countries and the broader region – would benefit from transparency on any major undertaking with potential implications for regional water management, agricultural sustainability, and security,” Wesley Holzer, public diplomacy officer at the US embassy in Phnom Penh, wrote in response to questions from Bloomberg regarding the project.

Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen claims the canal would only be used to boost economic activity.

Touted as Cambodia’s first inland river dredging project, the Techo Funan Canal will take around four years to complete and will boast a total length just 16km (10 miles) shorter than that of the Suez Canal. Like many infrastructure projects, it could potentially be used for military purposes and is drawing similar concerns from neighbour Vietnam.

Vietnamese academics worry that the project could support the transport of military ships from the Gulf of Thailand where Washington believes China is building its first overseas base in the Indo-Pacific region – and is also concerned about the canal’s environmental impact, including that it will direct water away from the Mekong river.

“We urge authorities to coordinate closely with the Mekong River Commission to provide additional project details and to participate fully in any appropriate environmental impact studies to help the MRC and member countries fully understand, assess, and prepare for any possible impacts of the project,” Holzer said.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The controversial project comes as Prime Minister Hun Manet has deepened already close ties with Beijing since taking the reins from his father less than a year