8-8-2024 (HANOI) Vietnam has voiced its support for Cambodia’s ambitious plan to construct a canal linking the Mekong River basin to the Cambodian coast. However, this endorsement comes with a caveat – a call for collaborative efforts to address potential negative impacts on the delicate Mekong Delta ecosystem.
The revelation came on Thursday (Aug 8) during a routine media briefing hosted by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry. Spokesperson Doan Khac Viet articulated Vietnam’s stance, acknowledging Cambodia’s sovereign right to pursue the US$1.7-billion Funan Techo Canal project while expressing a desire to participate in finding solutions to mitigate any detrimental effects.
“We support the project and respect the decision to build the canal,” Viet stated, reflecting Vietnam’s diplomatic overture. “We would like to collaborate with Cambodia in terms of research and impact assessment so that we can have proper solutions to reduce the impact.”
This diplomatic olive branch extends beyond mere rhetoric, as Vietnam seeks to actively engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at preserving the ecological integrity of the Mekong Delta – a vital rice-producing region that has long been a source of concern for conservationists and Vietnamese authorities alike.
Cambodia, for its part, has repeatedly downplayed environmental apprehensions surrounding the new canal, which critics argue could exacerbate the already fragile state of the Mekong Delta. Undeterred, Cambodian authorities broke ground on the ambitious project on Monday, heralding a new era of maritime connectivity and economic prosperity for the nation.
