PHNOM PENH: On August 22,2023, Prime Minister Hun Manet was officially sworn in as Cambodia’s prime minister after his father held the position for nearly 40 years. The new prime minister has been receiving congratulations on the position since former Prime Minister Hun Sen announced his resignation on July 26.

Kim Tok Hun, Premier of the Cabinet of North Korea sent a letter on August 8 to congratulate PM Hun Manet on his appointment by the King. He said that the appointment was “a manifestation of Cambodian people’s deep trust in you” and went on to praise the good relations between North Korea and Cambodia and hoped that

“friendship and cooperation between the two countries will continue to strengthen and develop.”

Sr. General Min Aung Hlaing, who has violently ruled Myanmar since taking over via military coup in 2021, sent his warm wishes and praised the two countries’ friendship based on “non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and cooperation.”

In his letter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore noted how their relationship grew under Hun Manet’s leadership as a military general in areas like trade, technical assistance and military exchanges. He said he looks forward to meeting Cambodia’s new prime minister in-person at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia next month.The Singaporean PM is himself the son of a former prime minister, having taken office in 2004 and currently serving his fifth term.

ASEAN Sec-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, also noted PM Hun Manet’s appointment as a sign of trust from the Cambodian people. He praised Cambodia’s contributions to ASEAN which culminated in the Kingdom hosting the 2022 ASEAN summit, where RCEP, the world’s largest free-trade agreement was signed. On behalf of ASEAN, he “stands ready to continue rendering our fullest support to and working hand-in-hand with Cambodia.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh noted how their bilateral relationship peaked under the leadership of Hun Manet’s father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen and expressed her warm wishes for the new PM and the country of Cambodia.

Retired Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, who took over as Thailand’s Prime Minister following a military coup in 2014, expressed his confidence that PM Hun Manet will lead Cambodia towards “even greater peace and prosperity.” He also credited the continued growth of relations between Thailand and Cambodia to the strong bonds between their leaders. It is still unclear who PM Hun Manet’s Thai counterpart will be as Thailand has not confirmed a new prime minister three months after Pita Limjaroenrat won the popular vote.