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☆ Cambodia parliament endorses strongman's son Hun Manet as new PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Hun Manet, nominee for Cambodia's prime minister, walks on the day that parliament votes to confirm the country's next prime minister, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy Liu Acquire Licensing RightsPHNOM PENH, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Cambodia's newly elected parliament endorsed military general Hun Manet as prime minister on Tuesday, completing a historic transfer of power in a fast-changing country led by his father for nearly four decades. The Western-educated Hun Manet, 45, had the backing of the majority of the National Assembly in proceedings screened live on television. His father, Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla and self-style strongman, has pledged to remain in politics in other roles for at least a decade. Little is known about Hun Manet's vision for Cambodia, a country of 16 million people, few of whom have lived under a leader other than his father.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cindy Liu, Hun Sen, Hun Manet's, Martin Petty, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, National Assembly, New York University, Britain's Bristol University, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PHNOM PENH, Khmer Rouge, United States

☆ Cambodia king approves nomination of Hun Manet as next PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen at a polling station on the day of Cambodia's general election, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 23, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy Liu/File PhotoPHNOM PENH, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Cambodia's king has approved the nomination the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen to become the next premier, according to a decree published on Monday, confirming a long-awaited transition of power. Hun Manet, 45, was educated in the United States and Britain, where has received a master decree and doctorate respectively, both in economics. Hun Manet has said little of his vision for the country. Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cambodia's, Hun Sen, Cindy Liu, Western, Prak Chan Thul, Martin Petty, Christian Schmollinger, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Telegram, National Assembly, Cambodian People's Party, Point, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PHNOM PENH, Khmer, United States, Britain

☆ Nearly half a million spoiled ballots in Cambodia election, poll body says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen at a polling station on the day of Cambodia's general election, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 23, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy Liu/File PhotoPHNOM PENH, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Cambodia's election commission said on Tuesday that nearly half a million ballots were spoiled in the national election last month, which critics have called a sham as all opposition parties were barred from contesting. About 440,000 ballots -- or every one in 18 -- were invalidated, the NEC said, adding the election had seen a high turnout of 85%. Authorities had threatened voters with heavy penalties if they spoiled ballots or boycotted the election or urged others to do so. Opposition figures and rights groups say Hun Sen has for years suppressed democratic institutions while cracking down on opponents and critics.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cambodia's, Hun Sen, Cindy Liu, Prak Chan Thul, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Cambodian People Party, NEC, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PHNOM PENH

☆ Cambodia holds lopsided election before historic transfer of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

He needs to win a National Assembly seat to become prime minister, which is likely. Analysts had expected the transition to come mid-term, giving time for Hun Manet to earn legitimacy with the public and political elite. "As long as Hun Sen is around, nobody will move against Hun Manet." [1/3]Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaks during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 21, 2023. Some did that on Sunday, posting pictures on social media of spoiled ballots, some with writing that disparaged Hun Sen, calling him a coward.

Persons: Hun Manet, Hun Sen's, Hun Sen, I've, Gordon Conochie, Cambodia's, Cindy Liu Hun Manet, Sam Rainsy, Freshnews, Nin Sinath, Hun, Prak Chan Thul, Chantha Lach, Martin Petty, Robert Birsel, William Mallard Organizations: Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, Former Khmer Rouge, National Assembly, La Trobe University, Cambodian People's Party, REUTERS, New York University, University of Bristol, Candlelight Party, Thomson Locations: PHNOM PENH, Former, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, China, United States

☆ Cambodia holds lopsided election ahead of historic transfer of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hun Manet, 45, needs to win a National Assembly seat to become prime minister, which he is expected to do in Sunday's general election. Analysts had expected the transition to come mid-term, giving time for Hun Manet to earn legitimacy with the public and political elite. "The reality is that as long as Hun Sen is around, nobody will move against Hun Manet." Hun Manet has given few media interviews and no clues over his vision for Cambodia and its 16 million people. 'PEACE NOT WAR'[1/3]Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaks during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 21, 2023.

Persons: Hun Sen's, Hun Sen, Hun Manet, Gordon Conochie, Cambodia's, Cindy Liu, Sam Rainsy, Conochie, Chantha Lach, Martin Petty, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, Former Khmer Rouge, National Assembly, La Trobe University, New York University, University of Bristol, Cambodian People's Party, REUTERS, Candlelight Party, Thomson Locations: PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, China, United States, Som, Bangkok

☆ Cambodia's long-serving leader says son can become PM in 3-4 weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, waves to people during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 21, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy LiuPHNOM PENH, July 21 (Reuters) - Cambodia's long-serving leader Hun Sen has told a Chinese television station that his eldest son, Hun Manet, can become prime minister soon after Sunday's election. "In three or four weeks, Hun Manet can become the prime minister. It depends on whether Hun Manet will be able to do it or not," Hun Sen said in an interview with China's Phoenix TV aired on Thursday. His son, Hun Manet, is a candidate for the election, making his debut.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cambodia's, Hun Sen, Cindy Liu PHNOM, Sok Eysan, Ella Cao, Martin Petty, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Cambodian People's Party, REUTERS, China's Phoenix TV, University of Bristol, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Cindy Liu PHNOM PENH, Khmer Rouge, United States

☆ Cambodia poll body disqualifies sole opposition party from July election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PHNOM PENH, May 15 (Reuters) - Cambodia's election commission on Monday disqualified the sole opposition Candlelight Party from contesting elections in July over its failure to submit proper registration documents. Other parties have signed up to contest the general election, but Candlelight's disqualification means the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) looks set to run virtually unopposed. Hun Sen has previously said the CPP will dominate politics for up to 100 years. Scores of former CNRP members have been detained or convicted of crimes, many in absentia having fled into exile amid Hun Sen's sweeping crackdown on critics. It took aim at Hun Sen for what it said were warnings against criticising his government ahead of the election.

☆ Two Cambodians held on rare royal insults charge after Facebook posts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They were arrested on Tuesday over their posts about a photograph of King Sihamoni and Hun Sen standing together at a torch relay ceremony for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games. Neither Yim Sinorn or Hun Kosal nor their legal representatives could immediately be reached for comment. Yim Sinorn later posted on Facebook that he had deleted what he wrote about the king and Hun Kosal said he respected the king and would promote the royal family. Hun Sen in comments on his official Facebook page about the arrests and before the men were charged said: "This is an insulting act that cannot be tolerated or excused." He had denied the charges he was conspiring with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades.

☆ Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha sentenced to 27 years of house arrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Prak Chan Thul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Cindy LiuPHNOM PENH, March 3 (Reuters) - Prominent Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha was sentenced on Friday to 27 years of house arrest after being found guilty of treason, in a case condemned by the United States as politically motivated. Judge Koy Sao also told the court in the capital, Phnom Penh, that Kem Sokha would be barred from running for political office or voting in elections. Kem Sokha, who headed the now-disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), had denied the charges and Washington dismissed the allegations as "fabricated conspiracy theories". Many media outlets critical of Hun Sen have also been shuttered and civil dissent crushed in recent years. Human Rights Watch said the case against Kem Sokha was a "politically motivated ploy" by Hun Sen to sideline the opposition and stamp out democracy.

☆ Exclusive: WHO investigating links between cough syrup deaths, considers advice for parents
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Jennifer Rigby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The deaths of children from acute kidney injury began in July 2022 in Gambia, followed by cases in Indonesia and Uzbekistan. The WHO has said the deaths are linked to over-the-counter cough syrups the children took for common illnesses and which contained a known toxin, either diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol. The WHO, working with Indonesia’s drugs regulator, also issued an alert in October about cough syrups made by four Indonesian manufacturers and sold domestically. The manufacturers are: PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex, PT AFI Farma. PT Universal Pharmaceutical Industries’ lawyer, Hermansyah Hutagalung, said it had pulled from the market all cough syrups deemed dangerous.

☆ With few entry tests, Southeast Asia may gain most from China's travel revival
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Xinghui Kok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Except for airplane wastewater testing by Malaysia and Thailand for the virus, the region's 11 nations will treat Chinese travellers like any others. As many as 76% of Chinese travel agencies ranked Southeast Asia as the top destination when outbound travel resumed, according to a survey released in December by trade show ITB China. Thailand already expects to welcome 5 million Chinese travellers this year, or about half of the 10.99 million of 2019. Neighbouring Malaysia projects 1.5 million to 2 million Chinese tourists this year versus 3 million before the pandemic. "But for Cambodia, it’s an invitation to Chinese people: Chinese tourists, come to Cambodia."

☆ Eight bodies found in ruins of Cambodia casino fire
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Kwang Jiraporn Kuhakan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A general view of the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino where a fire broke out, in Poipet near Thailand border, Cambodia, December 30, 2022. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaPOIPET, Cambodia, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Cambodian rescue teams recovered eight bodies on Friday from the charred rooms of a casino-hotel where a fire killed at least 27 people a day earlier, with more than 20 people still missing. Safety standards in Cambodia and other parts of Southeast Asia can be well below international standards and poorly enforced. Rescue teams said they had to move slowly through the smouldering remains of the building in case it collapsed. Those in Poipet are hugely popular with short-term Thai visitors as gambling is illegal across the border and unlicensed casinos operate underground there.

☆ Casino blaze at Cambodia-Thailand border kills 7, dozens hospitalised
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 29 (Reuters) - An overnight fire at a casino complex in a Cambodian border town has killed at least seven people, and left 53 injured and eight missing, authorities in neighbouring Thailand said on Thursday. The fire broke out at about midnight on Wednesday at Grand Diamond City, a casino and hotel in the town of Poipet, according to Cambodian police. Poipet's casinos are hugely popular with short-term visitors from Thailand, where gambling is illegal and unlicensed casinos operate underground. At least 32 people were being treated in hospitals in Sa Kaeo province across the border, Thailand's health ministry said. Cambodia has casino complexes in Phnom Penh and along its borders with Vietnam and Thailand.

☆ Thailand hosts Myanmar junta figures in talks, key ASEAN nations skip
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Foreign ministers of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam's deputy foreign minister joined the talks hosted by Thailand's foreign minister, according to Thai foreign ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke. "The consultation was a non-ASEAN meeting but intended to complement ASEAN’s ongoing collective efforts to find a peaceful political resolution," Kanchana said in a statement. Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin attended along with Kan Zaw, minister for investment and foreign economic relations, and Ko Ko Hlaing, minister for international cooperation, Myanmar's foreign ministry said in a statement. The Philippines said its foreign minister would also not join, without elaborating. "Any meeting convened under ASEAN, formal or informal, should not divert from this decision," it said, according to the source.

☆ U.S., China defence chiefs discussed need for improving crisis communication -Pentagon spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint news conference with Indonesia's Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (not pictured), following their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 21, 2022. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/PoolPHNOM PENH, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday discussed with his Chinese counterpart the need to improve crisis communication between the two major powers, a Pentagon spokesperson said. Austin, in his second meeting this year with Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, also raised concerns about increasingly dangerous behaviour by Chinese aircraft that "increases risk of an accident", said Brigadier General Pat Ryder. The two met on the sidelines of a gathering of their Southeast Asian counterparts in Cambodia. Reporting by Prak Chan Thul in Phnom Penh and Idrees Ali; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S., China defence ministers meet for second time this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In June, a Chinese fighter aircraft dangerously intercepted an Australian military surveillance plane in the South China Sea region in May, Australia's defence department said. Tuesday's meeting of the defence ministers took place on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Siem Reap, Cambodia. read moreAfter Pelosi's visit, China announced it was halting dialogue with the United States in a number of areas, including between theater-level military commanders. Pelosi's Taiwan trip infuriated China, which saw it as a U.S. attempt to interfere in its internal affairs. The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

☆ Pentagon chief raises concern about Beijing's 'dangerous' behavior with Chinese counterpart
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/PoolPHNOM PENH, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday emphasized the need to improve crisis communications during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart while raising concern about "increasingly dangerous" behavior by Chinese military aircraft. In June, a Chinese fighter aircraft dangerously intercepted an Australian military surveillance plane in the South China Sea region in May, Australia's defence department said. Tuesday's meeting of the defence ministers took place on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Siem Reap, Cambodia. read moreAfter Pelosi's visit, China announced it was halting dialogue with the United States in a number of areas, including between theater-level military commanders. The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

☆ Cambodia PM leaves G20 after positive COVID test, worried about other leaders
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PHNOM PENH, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday expressed concern for the health of other world leaders after a positive COVID-19 test forced him to cancel meetings at the G20 Summit in Indonesia and return home early. It was not immediately clear if any of the leaders at the G20 meeting have tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. President Joe Biden, who is tested regularly for COVID-19, had a negative test on Tuesday morning, according to the White House. Biden and Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended several meetings on Tuesday, among other leaders who were also in Cambodia. Hun Sen had been scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, among others.

☆ Biden says won't veer into conflict with China, as first summit ends in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Addressing the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, Biden said the United States would compete with China and speak out over its human rights record, but stressed the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. On China, Biden told the summit that "the United States will compete vigorously.... while keeping lines of communication open and ensuring competition does not veer into conflict," the White House said in a statement. Eighteen countries accounting for half the global economy attended Sunday's East Asia Summit, including the ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea, China, India, the United States, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. "The United States and its NATO allies are trying to master this space," Lavrov told a news conference in Phnom Penh. Like ally the United States, Australia's ties with China have also deteriorated in recent years.

☆ Biden says U.S.-ASEAN pact to address 'biggest issues of our time'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/8] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 2022 ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 12, 2022. In his first visit to Southeast Asia as president, Biden said the region was at the heart of his administration's Indo-Pacific strategy and Washington was committing resources, not just rhetoric, under a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASEAN is engaging a host of leaders, including Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. At the gatherings, Biden will focus on the Indo-Pacific region and talk about U.S. commitment to a rules-based order in the South China Sea, a senior administration official said earlier this week. Biden on Saturday said the meetings would discuss Russia's "brutal" war against Ukraine and U.S. efforts to address the war's global impact.

[1/3] Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn speaks during a meeting with Southeast Asian foreign ministers at the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 27, 2022. Galih Pradipta/Pool via REUTERSJAKARTA, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government warned on Thursday that any pressure from its Southeast Asian neighbours to put a time frame on a peace plan would create "negative implications". No Myanmar representatives were present at the special meeting of the group's foreign ministers to discuss the stalled peace plan. Late on Thursday, Myanmar's military-appointed foreign ministry released a statement blaming armed resistance movements for violence and saying pressure to set a time frame will create more negative implications than positive ones. And Indonesia has mentioned that this request needs to be delivered to Tatmadaw (Myanmar's military) immediately," said Retno.

☆ ASEAN chair alarmed over escalating Myanmar violence
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is gravely concerned about an escalation of violence in Myanmar and is calling for restraint and an immediate cessation of fighting, the bloc's chair Cambodia said. "We are deeply saddened by the growing casualties, and the immense suffering that ordinary people in Myanmar have endured," said the statement. "We, therefore, strongly urge utmost restraint and immediate cessation to violence," said the statement, which called for all parties to pursue dialogue. ASEAN is leading diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Myanmar but the junta has done little to implement the "consensus", which committed to an immediate halt to violence and the start of dialogue towards a peace agreement. A group of 457 Myanmar civil society organisations have called in an open letter for ASEAN leaders to scrap the peace plan it agreed with the military and instead work with civilian leaders and a shadow government.

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