The joint construction of the Dechong Phuc South Canal between China and Cambodia has started, and Vietnam is paying close attention to it

Dong Kaiying, a special correspondent for Global Times in Cambodia, said that the Dechongfu South Canal project, located at the source of the Mekong River in southern Cambodia's Kandal Province, officially started construction on the morning of the 5th. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Ma Nai Chai presided over the groundbreaking ceremony, which was attended by nearly 20000 people. According to the Cambodian "Cambodia China Daily" on the 5th, the sound of gongs and drums and fireworks performances were heard one after another at the groundbreaking ceremony, and celebration ceremonies were also held in various places.

Hong Mane stated at the groundbreaking ceremony that the completion of the Dechong Phuc South Canal project will bring tangible benefits to Cambodia. He emphasized that in the next five years, the launch of the project will eliminate doubts about the loss of national sovereignty and demonstrate Cambodia's independent capabilities and national strength. Hong Manai pointed out that the Dechongfu South Canal is Cambodia's first historic transportation project that connects the Mekong River system with maritime routes. Economic analysis and evaluation show that the project will bring huge benefits to Cambodia in trade, tourism, urban planning, and construction.

According to Cambodian media, the total investment of the Dechongfu South Canal project is 1.7 billion US dollars, and it is expected to take 4 years to construct an inland canal with a total length of 180 kilometers. The project spans 4 provinces and covers a population of about 1.6 million, including 3 canal traffic navigation stations and 11 river crossing bridges.

According to the Cambodia China Daily, the Dechong Funan Canal project is led by Cambodian state-owned and local enterprises, with Chinese enterprises participating in the investment and construction of the second section. Hong Manai previously stated that most of the investment in the canal project comes from Cambodia, with some provided by Chinese companies with construction technology. He stated that the majority of workers involved in the project construction will be Cambodians, and Cambodia has learned from experts and negotiated with Chinese enterprises to obtain technical and partial investment support.

The Vietnamese side is deeply concerned about the Dechongfu South Canal project. In April of this year, Deputy Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Duan Keyue, requested Cambodia to closely cooperate with Vietnam and the International Mekong River Commission, share information, and evaluate the impact of the project on water resources and ecological environment in the Mekong Delta region, ensuring the interests of the countries and people in the basin. According to reports from Vietnamese media such as Vietnam Briefing, the Vietnamese side has repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential environmental damage to the Mekong River region caused by the De Chongfu South Canal. However, Agence France Presse has stated that Vietnam is concerned that the canal may be used by Chinese warships and reduces Cambodia's dependence on Vietnamese ports.