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The Fanto Canal is not merely a logistical project; it carries the potential to transform trade routes in Southeast Asia. By bypassing the Vietnamese-controlled Mekong Delta—a crucial trading region—this canal is poised to give Cambodia greater control over its exports and imports. Under the leadership of Hon Manet, the new Cambodian prime minister, the canal offers an opportunity to carve out a legacy marked by economic independence.
Funding for the canal, amounting to $1.7 billion, has primarily been provided by China, raising concerns among Vietnam and the United States about the project’s hidden agendas. Speculation suggests a potential military dimension to the canal, especially with satellite images indicating the presence of Chinese naval vessels near the canal's exit point.