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(1) Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project Reflects Commitment to the Development of the Southwest
I am pleased to attend the groundbreaking ceremony as mentioned in the report of His Excellency Sun Chanthol, who emphasized the importance and technical aspects of the construction (of the 151.6 kilometers-long Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project, Section 2), starting from Prek Por, Kandal Province, to the sea at Kep Province, which is reflecting our commitment to the development of the southwest. There are four provinces directly involved, namely Kandal Province, Takeo Province, Kampot Province, and Kep Province. (There are) other indirectly involved provinces, namely Kampong Speu Province, which can also benefit from this, both in terms of agro-industrial development and industry […] If it renders development to Kampong Speu Province, (development will) spread to Kampong Chhnang […]
Hopefully, this waterway will be a blood vessel that connects not only the four provinces directly to Phnom Penh, but also a connection from the sea to the fresh water route, that is, it will connect the provinces along the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers from the north to the south […] and even Laos can also use the same waterway through Cambodia to the sea, creating connectivity from Laos to other neighboring countries […] The development of this canal, therefore, will not only benefit these provinces, but can also connect the entire region. The long-term construction began in the previous term, when Samdech Techo, the former Prime Minister and the current President of the Senate, organized a study policy and provided support to this passage […]
(2) Despite the difficult and uncertain challenges, Cambodia has been able to overcome them and move forward
His Excellency Sun Chanthol highlighted the benefits (of this waterway) […] whose main goal is to enhance the honor, the nation’s ability to improve the livelihood of the people, and to make Cambodia stronger […] This construction is an extension, following the example of our ancestors, who saw the potential here. We, the younger generation, will build and continue to build in the direction of making Cambodia stronger, more self-sufficient in ensuring livelihoods and Cambodia’s ability to ensure leadership in all sectors […] In the past five years, Cambodia has experienced many major complex challenges, such as COVID-19, after which, we entered the economic crisis related to the war in Ukraine. After the war in Ukraine, we faced global reciprocal tariff. After that, we had an aggressive war that affected the lives and property of citizens, and again at this time (we are facing with) an energy crisis. The interesting thing is that despite the difficult and uncertain challenges, Cambodia has been able to overcome them and move forward […]
(3) Thank reiterated to the Chinese government for the Covid-19 vaccine provision
During the (Covid-19) phase, let me reiterate thanks to the Chinese government for providing Cambodia with its first Shinovac vaccine. I remember well. I was the first to receive the vaccination […] The team at that time had a difficult decision to make on whether to wait for the vaccine that the WHO (approved) or not […] We (had to decide between) either waiting for the approved drug to arrive while people were dying from Covid-19 every day, or we decided to take the drug that many countries had already injected hundreds of millions of people, but the WHO had not yet approved it. In the end that Samdech Techo decided to bring the drug to our people, we were able to control the Covid-19 outbreak. This was a clear and responsible decision. Why was I the first to be injected? Actually, Samdech Techo was the first to be injected […] But this vaccine can only be injected for people aged 60 and below […] Samdech decided then that if he could not get the vaccination, his family members must be the first. If there was a problem, our family would be the first to be responsible. We could not let the people get the vaccine before we did. That’s why I was the first to be injected […]
(4) The RGC is with the people in difficult times to resolve challenging issues
Today, (in the face of new challenges,) there is no difference […] (Firstly) Regarding the livelihood of the people, it is not true to say that the Royal Government has never thought and has not done anything […] The Ministry of Economy and Finance has silently requested the principles of several subsidies as the first step. We reduced the tax rate on imported oil, special taxes on electricity, electrical equipment, electric motorcycles, electric cars […] We have subsidized the oil prices by six and a half cents. So far, the state has spent 50 million dollars in revenue per month through the reduction of the special tax. In addition, to ensure that electricity prices do not increase, EDC (Electiricite du Cambodge) has released 35 million dollars in recent weeks to control prices. As the price of oil increases, the cost of production also goes up […] However, the situation is not over because the war (in the middle-east) is not over […] The abovementioned interventions are examples of the care and vision to resolve (the difficult and) uncertain situation. The Royal Government is with the people not only in happy times and/or times of celebration, but also in difficult times, by being with the people and taking measures to resolve issues for them as much as it can […]
(5) RGC has taken concrete actions and released concrete capital to solve facing issues
Secondly, (we have) the efforts of civil servants, relevant ministries, and institutions, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, […] the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Mines and Energy that are constantly monitoring the situation to look for oil from various sources […] Thirdly, I would like to appeal to the citizens to participate in order to make this endeavor successful. It may not be perfect, there may be some difficulties, not as we desired […] Even though the Royal Government is trying hard, it cannot stop the war in the Middle East if the relevant partners do not stop. We could just appeal and expre3ss our wish that it stops […] However, the Royal Government has taken measures and is not sleeping. Sometimes there are tax cuts or subsidies. Some measures we did not announce in time, but we have taken concrete actions, and released concrete capital to solve them. Therefore, I would like the citizens to participate, firstly, to give understanding, and secondly, to exercise saving of oil, saving of electricity because it is related to their livelihoods […] The other day, I have asked His Excellency Hang Chuon Naron to conduct a study that if the (war-implicated) situation continues like this in the future […] for example, can some secondary schools in towns that have the capacity implement online learning? […] We hope that this crisis and this problem will not last long, but we have had to be prepared […] which means travel expenses […]
(6) The canal will expand to the rehabilitation of inland ports/river terminals
We launched the construction of the first section of the Funan Canal on August 5, 2024. Now we are (launching the construction of) the second section. Some people say that this project has stalled. That is not the case. We have been working and solving problems regularly. People may ask if it is easy? No, it is not easy […] On my way in, some senior people said that they are happy to see this project going […]
Soon, there will a national road, and on this side, there is a waterway, not for boats, but for ships carrying thousands of tons of cargo. Along this road, there will be logistics centers, industrial centers, and an irrigation system for the people […] It is not only a historical project that follows the footsteps of our ancestors who used this geographical location as an economic force through trade, but we have followed new technologies for the future for decades to come, for independence and ownership, in connecting from within the country, by all means, both land that includes roads and railways […] and waterways to the provinces […]
This project cannot be successful implemented without the participation of the people […] From the beginning, when Samdech Techo asked for it to be studied, and passing on to me, we have conducted negotiate on all aspects – technical, financial, and not only external negotiations, but also internal negotiations […] What took us a long time was the adjustments to have less impact on the villages and the people […] This project will expand to the rehabilitation of inland ports/river terminals from Phnom Penh to Kampong Chhnang, from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham, and from Kampong Cham to Stung Treng […] the transportation connectivity. Now in Kampong Chhnang, a multi-purpose port is being prepared […] later, in the northeast, there will be more facilities prepared to connect […]
(7) Areas along the stretch can become agro-industrial because transportation is cheap and electricity is available
The other day, I went to Svay Rieng Province, the Bavet and the Bavet area, and I said, “In the days to come, we don’t need to plant rice. We plant factories.” Some people made fun of it. They said, “What will we eat?” In one year, when it comes to food security, we export millions of tons of rice […] That means we don’t need to use the same amount of land that we produce rice every year, and only export rice. We can reduce some of the land from rice to other crops that gives higher yields or generate higher incomes, or resorts to industries or do things that generate higher incomes […] Along with food security, we need to think about the income of the people. If we have a surplus, some places should examine the possibility of (converting those land to do something else) […]
(Is) exporting agricultural products or industrial products more profitable for the country, wages, and income for the people […] When this canal is ready, some places along this stretch will remain agricultural areas, but they can become agro-industrial areas because agro-industrial factories have been eyeing to set up, because transportation is cheap and electricity is available. In the past, they did it near the road. Now they are built near waterways or in some places we have prepared as agricultural or industrial centers […] which create tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in income for the people of Takeo Province, all provinces, and people across the country […]
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(8) RGC works hard in steps to solve the displaced people problem
Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to the heroic soldiers, the heroic National Police, and the Royal Military Police who have sacrificed for the cause of our land, as well as to the leaders and commanders at all levels on the front lines, including the heroic soldiers and police who are standing ready to protect the integrity of our great land. I thank all citizens from all over the country who have supported the Royal Government, as well as the heroic soldiers in their efforts to protect the land […] and to the refugees who have not yet returned home […] Although we celebrate the construction of new achievements to strengthen ourselves and strengthen our ability to protect the land, we still consider the difficulties you face step by step […]
The new houses that we are putting in place for you are not like your previous houses. I see some of you posted on Facebook. The old houses you built took 20 to 30 years, and they are the price of your hard work and sweat. These new houses are built in a few months and are not like those of yours […] However, the Royal Government has worked hard in steps to solve the problem […] by evading you from the combat zone, for your survival … following by guiding you to safe places, having shelter, having food and water as soon as possible […] (and later) implementing the phase of improvement […] and now we are reaching the phase of gradual recovery […]
(9) Cambodia pursues whichever option that sheds no blood of its people
We try to avoid war […] We find a way to solve it technically, through peace, through border demarcation […] There are places where we many have been in theirs, and in some places, they may have been in ours. Let’s align with the historical map according to the agreements, conventions, treaties […] A peaceful solution is what the Royal Government must pursue to protect national sovereignty. All mechanisms and means that do not shed blood are the highest priority options […] if this mechanism still has hope for a solution. I have said that should the diplomatic mechanism has only 1% chance, I must try it with all my might […] Some may ask what are the solutions? There are many options. Firstly, a bilateral mechanism. That must be a legal and diplomatic mechanism. Diplomacy means concerned parties will talks, and negotiations will be based on treaties, international law, and will not use force to take territory […] Secondly, regional mechanisms, such as ASEAN, etc. […] Thirdly, international mechanisms, such as the UN, the International Court of Justice, etc. If someone asks which option does Cambodia choose, I would say all options are open. Whatever the option it may be, should it help claim and protect its sovereignty, Cambodia will do it. The option that allows Cambodia to succeed without shedding the blood of its people […]
(10) Bilateral mechanisms avoid bloodshed and are the fastest measures
Why did Cambodia choose a bilateral solution? […] A journalist asked, “Why doesn’t the Cambodian government internationalize the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute? Why is it going for a bilateral solution? […] “Have we been bilateral since the outbreak (of border row) until now?” No. Immediately after the shooting, on the first day, we sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council […] I personally signed and sent the letter to several international leaders, including the UN Secretary-General. The first ceasefire on July 28 was not bilateral, it was attended by the ASEAN Chairman, China, and the United States […] Why don’t we follow that trend? Why did we come to a bilateral solution? Please note that the bilateral mechanism, firstly, is part of the diplomatic and legal resolution mechanism […] which is an option that allows us to avoid bloodshed […] the use of violence would ensure endless battles. No matter how many fighting would there be, in the end one still need to negotiate […] and secondly, bilateral measures are the fastest measures […] with mechanisms in place – JBC, RBC, GBC, to resolve the issue for 20 years […] Cambodia does not want to violate anyone’s sovereignty, but Cambodia cannot allow anyone to violate its sovereignty either […] if it is resolved in this way/bilaterally, the resolution will be long term. If we are busy fighting and retaliating, it will never end […]
(11) Abandoning bilateral agreement means rejecting opportunity to solve problem
There is still a belief that bilateral mechanisms are the most appropriate option at the time. Despite some territorial differences, Cambodia and Thailand still have some common ground. If we no longer agreed on everything, the door would close. If we still have some key points to agree on, we think we can move forward. What are the common points? Firstly, Cambodia’s position is to resolve the issue peacefully based on international law, in accordance with existing treaties, conventions and agreements […] The new government of His Excellency Anutin has just announced its policy regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border to continue to resolve the situation peacefully and through existing bilateral mechanisms […] Secondly, Cambodia respects existing agreements, including the KL Accord of October 26 and the Joint Declaration of December 27. Up to now, neither the Thai government nor the Thai military has announced a rejection of the joint statement of the December 27th […] Therefore, these two positions are compatible […] which is the basis for deciding that the bilateral mechanism is still the most appropriate mechanism that we cannot abandon […] If we abandon the bilateral agreement, it means that we have rejected the opportunity to solve the problem […]
(12) Asking no country to Cambodia’s side, only for support of justice and the law
If we still have hope to resolve the sovereignty claim without bloodshed, without destroying lives, and to resolve it permanently, let it not linger, and let the people not look at each other in the face anymore. Those who were friends six months ago, […] now look at each other with disdain. (We must strive) not to let the hostility feeling remain there. Let’s get along quickly. If there is still hope for such a solution, the Royal Government will choose this option and strive to resolve it to the best of its ability […] When it comes to hearing about international aspect, some say that it is about suing the other side to the ICJ. No, that is not it […] There has been claims that the Cambodian leaders went to France and did not ask France to take Cambodia’s side […] I will not go to any country to ask for my support. I only ask for support of justice and the law. This is what Cambodia wants […] let us use the law, using treaties, in accordance with the UN Charter and ASEAN Charter […] We went there to show them actual situation […] that there has been construction on Cambodian soil […] without slandering. There is evidence. what we are asking is for France to help promote the implementation and respect of international law. If this law is put in place and Cambodia is judged to be wrong, Cambodia will accept it. But if Cambodia is not wrong, the other party is wrong, they must accept it as well […]
(13) If there is still hope for a peaceful resolution, we must not abandon it
Hopefully, Cambodia and Thailand will be able to do this work based on what we have declared, peacefully resolving the issue, using existing mechanisms, and agreements […] With this, I would like to thank the Chinese government, firstly, for helping the refugees by providing financial assistance and helping to resolve the difficulties, and secondly, for actively participating in the first round of negotiation on July 28, as well as the coordination by His Excellency (Chinese Foreign Minister) Wang Yi, who convened a meeting in Shanghai between the Cambodian and Thai sides to continue this work […] I wish you understand and be aware of that. Although we are not shouting every day about how we go about resolving the sovereignty issue, the government is not silent. I have explained how to resolve it. There is still a way forward. I will show you step by step. However, no matter what it will be, it will follow the same direction, which is to find peace, resolve the territory issue, and provide happiness to the people by (all) means. If there is still hope for a peaceful resolution, we must not abandon it […]
(14) The most recent experience has taught us to learn living on our own
Hopefully, this canal will bring achievements, especially additional economic strength to Takeo province […] where, I am informed, investors are ready to come to manufacture semiconductors and electrical components that would be worth hundreds of millions. Why are they coming? This can be seen that it is because in a little while, there will be this waterway […] The cost of transportation by water is cheap […] Kandal province is next to the airport and is linked by a canal […] so that logistics can be done from air to land and then by water […] In the future, all sectors, including national security, national defense, economy, and technology, must have the ability to be self-sufficient on a large scale, to score achievements such as this interconnected infrastructure to be a long-term basis for future generations, children of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to grow stronger and be self-sufficient […] We will continue this work in the direction of making Cambodia stronger, Cambodia more prosperous for our children and grandchildren in the future […] Peace is hard to find, but protecting peace must be done absolutely, especially the experience in the short term has taught us that we must learn to live on our own […]./.
