Foreign Ministry speaks out about provocative remarks on Hun Sen's TikTok channel

The opinions about the Phu Nam Techo Canal on Mr. Hun Sen's social media account and believed to originate from Vietnam do not represent the views of the Vietnamese Government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang - Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

" The recent personal opinions expressed by some accounts believed to originate from Vietnam on social media do not represent the views of the Vietnamese Government and people. We do not agree with opinions and comments that incite, divide the good feelings between the Vietnamese and Cambodian people, and personally attack the leaders of the two countries," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang told Tuoi Tre Online on May 23. Previously, Tuoi Tre Online asked the Foreign Ministry to inform Vietnam of Cambodia's stance on Cambodia's request to cooperate in investigating information about some social media accounts believed to belong to Vietnamese citizens that used inappropriate words on the account of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. "On the basis of the good neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability with Cambodia, the authorities of both sides have practical and effective measures to help the people and future generations of the two countries understand this relationship clearly and fully, making the relationship between the two countries develop more and more strongly, for the benefit of the people of the two countries. In that spirit, we believe that Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to coordinate closely in sharing information in many fields, including the Phu Nam Techo canal project as well as research on the project's transboundary impacts, thereby ensuring the harmonious interests of the countries and people living along the river; effectively and sustainably managing and using the Mekong River's water resources," Ms. Hang emphasized.

What did Mr. Hun Sen say?

On May 20, on his official Facebook page, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said that recently there have been many comments on TikTok believed to be from Vietnamese people "insulting" him because of the Phu Nam Techo canal project. Mr. Hun Sen then called on Cambodian authorities to cooperate with Vietnam to clarify the people who insulted him, but also admitted that it was unclear whether they were Vietnamese citizens or Vietnamese people living abroad. The Cambodian leader also affirmed that he would not accuse anyone and wanted to cooperate in the investigation to "prevent bad guys from breaking the relationship between the two countries". Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea later met with Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang on the same day, May 20, according to the Khmer Times newspaper. In which, Mr. Sok Chenda Sophea asked the two governments to cooperate in investigating the identities of those who "posted hostile content", in order to prevent any efforts to sabotage the traditional friendship and goodwill between the leaders and people of the two countries. Interior Ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak said the ministry is studying appropriate legal procedures and cooperating with Vietnamese authorities through diplomatic channels. He also said that the Cambodian Ministry of Interior has transferred the case to professional investigators and asked them to cooperate with Vietnam, if possible, to help identify the culprit. The response of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman on May 23 marked the fourth time this year that Vietnam has spoken out about information related to the Phu Nam Techo canal project in Cambodia. In particular, Vietnam's consistent message is to value neighborly relations with Cambodia and support the development achievements of the neighboring country in recent times. Regarding the Phu Nam Techo canal, Vietnam expressed its concern and respect for Cambodia's legitimate interests, but requested that Cambodia continue to closely coordinate with Vietnam and the countries in the Mekong River Commission to share information and assess the impact of the project.

Cambodia determined to build Funan Techo canal

The Funan Techo Canal project has attracted much attention recently. Cambodian media has been constantly reporting on the project, with statements expressing the determination of Cambodian leaders and emphasizing that the project will benefit not only the people of this country but also a number of other countries. According to the Khmer Times, the Funan Techo Canal project could start construction later this year. The estimated cost is about 1.7 billion USD, carried out by a Chinese contractor and is expected to take 4 years to complete. This will be a new waterway, allowing provinces deep inland in Cambodia to connect directly to the Gulf of Thailand.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-ngoai-giao-noi-ve-nhung-loi-le-kich-dong-tren-kenh-tiktok-ong-hun-sen-20240522050052786.htm