Selected Comments of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, at the groundbreaking ceremony to construct the Funan Techo Canal [Unofficial translations]
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(1) The vision to build Funan Techo canal aligns with that of ancestors in the Funan time
The fact that we have decided to launch the groundbreaking ceremony to build the Funan Techo Canal (FTC) as soon as we can confirms the high level of commitment […] and support from the people across the country. We must make it happen resolutely for the best interest of our nation. The project is not just about putting in place the waterway infrastructure that can facilitate transportation and economic growth but also serve as a linkage to the geography and history of the Funan empire, the first state of Cambodia in the first century.
According to records from some Chinese researchers, Funan was a prosperous empire situating to the south of China. To promote agriculture, trade, industry, logistics, we today are launching the construction of the Funan Techo Canal [ …] that establishes connection to the Funan empire where Angkor Borei – which was once the capital – focused strongly on agriculture and trade […] thus, our vision to build this canal has aligned with that of our ancestors in the kingdom of Funan […]
(2) Angkor Borei irrigation system served agriculture and international trade route
In Angkor Borei, there were many irrigation systems built in those days to serve agriculture that strengthened our economy. In addition, they also served as international trade routes. According to researches, Angkor Borei had had five canals that served as trade connection, including the 5th canal with a length of 90 km, that connected Angkor Borei with the port of O Keo, which was our international port through which traded with the West, the Roman empire and India […] now, 2000 years later, we – the descendants – have launched the construction of the Funan Techo Canal, which is nothing less than following the vision of our ancestors to build a canal that connects Phnom Penh with the blue water ports in Sihanoukville and Kampot for trade purpose with the world […] like our ancestors did at the times of the Mountains Kingdom and/or the Funan empire […]
(3) If 2000 years ago the canal provided great benefits to the Kingdom of Funan, it will also do now to Cambodia
It is a connection with the past 2000 years when our forefathers had a vision of the importance of connecting canals and rivers, identifying waterways as a strength for Kingdom’s empowerment. Therefore, I urge our people not to have doubts about whether there would be benefits of this canal for Cambodia […] if 2000 years ago this canal provided great benefits to the Kingdom of Funan, then 2000 years later, this canal will also provide additional economic strength to Cambodia […] we connect transport and trade route from Phnom Penh, provinces along the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River to the sea. Even it is in larger scale, the cause of this project is not different from the 2000 years ago – to promote the prestige, independence, sovereignty and prosperity of Cambodia […]
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(4) Funan Techo Canal, a highly nationalist project in the post-1979 liberation
Despite the cost of about 1,700 million […] budget size is just an indicator […] this canal project has behind it a whole national movement […] that it is just an infrastructural project, the Funan Techo Canal has become the most nationalist projects in the post-1979 liberation period […] some did not understand and expressed concerns. (There is overwhelming support), however, of the Cambodian people from all walks of life – both inside and outside the country […] many parties with different political tendencies throw their supports on this project […] those who (do not support) falls into a small voice compared to this trend (above) […]
(5) Let us build a common national achievement that lasts for hundreds of years
Together, we continue to fulfil our forefathers’ vision of 2,000 years ago […] to build this waterway infrastructure, to boost the economy, and to enhance Cambodia’s prestige, national independence and sovereignty. Together, we are united to build a common achievement for the nation that will last for hundreds of years to come. In the next five years, the place will become an economic potential for our people to set up businesses, create agroindustry and industry, even. Then, our people living in this area will not be far away from others. They will live along the waterway with busy traffic, there will be no more silence, whereas life and the economy will change […]
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(6) On the backdrop of peace, the Funan Techo canal construction is underway
The Funan empire was noted to be strong and making tremendous progress. Starting from the Angkorian era, we were divided for 500 years […] as the storm disappeared, peace came in 1998. and today we are working on this giant and nationalistic project together. We also show to our ancestors our commitments as their descendants to continue their heroism in promoting national unity and working against the backdrop of the end of war and the existing peace to build this project. We all have committed to doing it […]
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(7) FTC maintains trust and unity among the Cambodians
Why do we have to make a commitment to build it? This achievement is not only for our national economy, but also for maintaining trust and unity among the Cambodian nation. Why do I say this? As you can see, on Facebook, even though a large number of our people understand the importance of the project, there are still some who have concerns about the canal […] well, nationalism must exist. The concern about the loss of territory and national sovereignty is a must […] We must protect what we have every day […] about the sovereignty, some people are worried that despite the canal is on our land, but that it is bult by foreign company, they will rule over us […] and so one. Seeing these concerns expressed that we need to respond and explain clearly to address the issue of concerns and in doubts […]
(8) Failing to build FTC will lose economic potential and opportunities to do more
We must make this canal possible at any cost. Why? If we fail to get it done, we will lose the advantage of strengthening our economic potential, opportunities to do more for our nation and our economy. We would be able to only solve the concerns of a small number of people about the loss of territory, the loss of sovereignty […] (Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of Council for the Development of Cambodia – CDC) HE Sun Chanthol has just reiterated that this is a BOT project […] meaning that it is the private company that borrows money to invest. Moreover, in this infrastructural private investment […] the local companies have a larger stake […] BOT does not mean loss of sovereignty. They build roads, they have the right to operate it and charge, but all are under the Cambodian laws […] foreign investment companies from any country […] are operating under the Cambodian law […]
(9) To eliminate worries and/or doubts, make FTC a real achievement to protect national interest
If we listen to those who are a little worried, we will not accomplish the project. We will have to deal with worries and doubts […] doubts that divide the nation. If we failed to present to everyone the canal achievements in real […] there would be doubts. You may think that the Royal Government did intend to lose sovereignty. It was because someone make noise that stopped the government from going ahead with the intention. Skepticism persists. The Royal Government has nothing to prove on the ground other than announcing on the microphone […]
That we are skeptical of each other will make doubts easier to divide the nation […] no matter how hard we try to explain, it will be difficult to convince some because, while explaining predictions, or things in the future, we have nothing to show on the ground […] but only to express opinions and arguments […] for us to eliminate worries and, most importantly, not to have internal doubts […] we need to make it come in real, quantifiable, to protect national interest, and to benefit from the project, for the national development (and) enhancement of potential to defend actual independence and national sovereignty for generations to come […]
(10) Justice to all – those who see economic benefits and answers to those concerned about sovereignty
(While in office) for 40 years, Samdech Techo had been in a position of making many political decisions), especially when the government had to do something that was hard to win the people’s understanding. We cannot confirm to them immediately. Patience is needed. However, we cannot give up the big goal of serving the motherland, especially a project where the vast majority of people understand the value. Although some of you have the right to express concern, we must give justice to all – both those who see economic gain from the project, and the answers to those who (are) worried about losing their land and sovereignty through the project […] which we must complete, protect sovereignty and territory, and increase potential and independence. Only then can we extinguish the flames of this internal suspicion […]
(11) There will be no loss of territory for building the Funan Techo canal project
Please be assured that once the canal project is completed, Cambodia will not have land loss in the south or east of the project. We also do not lose the sovereignty of using the waterways of the Funan Techo canal. If you want to know for sure, please wait and see for another five years. I am not going anywhere. Now I say this publicly and nothing is hidden. You can save it. Five more years, if we lose sovereignty, you can come to me anytime. If we lose the land either 10 or 20 years, should you feel that five years is too short, my family is not going anywhere. The day before, I said that my family did not pack up to go anywhere […] we do the job responsibly […]./.
