PM Rejects Criticism of Deep SHV Seaport Development as a China Debt Trap

• 22 February 2022
• Local News
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Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen once again dismissed criticism of the development of Sihanoukville deep seaport as a China debt trap, given that the port has been developed and supported by Japan.

PM Hun Sen made the announcement during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Japanese-funded US$20-million Boeung Choeung Ek sewage treatment plant on 22 February.

“The deep seaport is under Japan help. Why will it fall into a China debt trap?” PM Hun Sen questioned, citing that it is impossible that the Sihanouk deep port would face the same issues as the troubled Chinese-funded seaport in Sri Lanka.

PM Hun Sen also confirmed that the Sihanoukville deep seaport is operating with Japan holding shares as well.

Japan has been helping to develop the Cambodian deep seaport since 1993.

According to the master plan, the expansion of the Sihanoukville deep seaport has a total of 5 phases. In the first phase, Japan is providing a loan of US$200 million to expand the port depth to 14.5m and length to 350m.

The second and third phases, which will expand the port to a depth of 16m and 17.50m, are also being studied by JICA.

In the long term, the government will also expand the port to depths of 18.5m and 19m in the fourth and fifth phases. (Read more)

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