TAKEO, Cambodia, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- A lecture highlighting the benefits of the Funan Techo Canal (FTC) -- a mega project jointly invested in by Cambodian and Chinese companies -- was presented to hundreds of college faculty members and students here in southern Cambodia on Monday.
Organized by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the Funan Techo Coastal-Inland Waterway Co., Ltd., the event took place at the Regional Polytechnic Institute Techo Sen Takeo, showcasing a detailed roadmap and outlining the strategic benefits of the project.
The 172.6-kilometer FTC project stretches from southern Kandal province to the sea in southwestern Kep province, traversing Takeo and Kampot provinces.
Presiding over the lecture, Takeo Provincial Governor Vei Samnang said that the canal will elevate Cambodia's pride in waterway transport and significantly boost the kingdom's trade exchange with the rest of the world.
"It will reduce transportation costs, shorten travel distances, and increase trade competitiveness, ultimately driving the kingdom's long-term economic growth," he told the audience, adding that the project will not only benefit the transport sector, but also reduce road wear, lower vehicle maintenance costs, and cut fuel expenses for cargo carriers.
Samnang said the project is a direct fruit of close Cambodia-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), injecting fresh vitality into building an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
Liu Zhaowei, general manager of the FTC project, said that the FTC is a flagship initiative of China-Cambodia cooperation under the BRI and the "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework.
"The construction of this project will comprehensively enhance Cambodia's national waterway transportation capacity, drive port development, and promote economic growth and trade," he said.
He added that upon completion, Takeo Province will transform into a vital waterway hub for Cambodia, allowing the region to reap substantial development dividends.
Liu emphasized that the project team is committed to safe, civilized, and green construction practices, making every effort to minimize the project's impact on residents' daily lives.
"We will also actively fulfill our social responsibilities and integrate closely with local social development," he said.
The construction of the mega project is divided into two phases, with section II launching construction in April 2026. Once completed, a total population of 1.6 million living along the waterway is expected to benefit directly from the project.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said the FTC project is more than just an infrastructure project, highlighting its potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic activity in surrounding communities.
"The canal will modernize Cambodia's waterways, strengthen ports and maritime logistics, and significantly improve connectivity between inland areas and the coast," he told Xinhua.
"It is expected to enhance Cambodia's economic sovereignty by lowering transport costs, reducing dependence on foreign transit routes, boosting regional connectivity, and strengthening trade competitiveness," he added.
Mengdavid said that if effectively implemented, the project will also drive localized economic development, creating new employment opportunities and raising the standard of living for communities along the canal route.
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