According to NHK, Mr. Hun Manet is a military officer born in 1977 (45 years old), who had never entered politics until he ran for a parliamentary seat in Cambodia's general election on July 23.
Mr. Hun Manet, PhD in economics, senior Cambodian military officer and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen - Photo: Khmer Times
Mr. Hun Manet graduated from the West Point Military Academy (USA) in 1999 before receiving a doctorate in economics from the University of Bristol (UK). Before that, he graduated with a master's degree from New York University, also in economics.
After returning to serve in his home country, he rose rapidly through the ranks of the Cambodian armed forces, starting with the Ministry of National Defense's National Counter-Terrorism Special Forces.
He was successively appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.
Mr. Hun Manet appeared at an event on July 21 - Photo: KHMER TIMES
Mr. Hun Manet began to attract domestic and international attention when he took on a leadership role overseeing negotiations during the 2008-2011 Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, according to Khmer Times.
The son of the Cambodian Prime Minister is also actively involved in social work, currently the Head of the Samdech Techo Hun Sen Scholarship Board, Samdech Techo Scholarship Association, to support Cambodian students.
Together with his wife, Pich Chanmony, he founded and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Samdech Techo Youth Volunteer Doctors Association, which provides free healthcare services to many rural areas of Cambodia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Hun Manet also led many projects to establish mobile medical teams and treatment facilities across Phnom Penh.
He became a youth leader in the CPP in 2020, implementing many support policies and strengthening connections with the Cambodian community abroad.
According to CNA, in December 2021, Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly announced his support for his son to succeed him. The CPP also elected Mr. Hun Manet as a future candidate for this position.
When announcing the CPP's "resounding victory" on July 23, the party's spokesman, Mr. Sok Eysan, said it was "very clear" that Mr. Hun Manet had won a seat in parliament.
Previously, when asked by the media to speak when going to vote on the morning of July 23, Mr. Hun Manet only said: "Sorry, I just came to vote, not to make any statement," according to CNA.
Mr. Hun Manet has also increased his diplomatic presence in recent times, including a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Tokyo in February 2022.
Some diplomatic sources said that Mr. Hun Manet is expected to become a leader with a balanced approach, playing a role in strengthening relations not only with China but also with the US and other countries.
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