Hun Manet, the oldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, is a 45-year-old expected future candidate for the Southeast Asian country's top political job. He ran for a parliamentary seat for the first time in Sunday's general election.

Hun Manet was born in 1977. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1999 before receiving a PhD in economics from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.

In December 2021, Hun Sen publicly announced his support for army commander Hun Manet to succeed him as the next prime minister. The ruling Cambodian People's Party also elected Hun Manet as its future candidate for the leadership post.

Hun Manet also increased his diplomatic presence on such occasions as his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Tokyo in February 2022.

Inexperienced as a politician, Hun Manet seems keen to project himself as a friendly man through social media and other means. That's in stark contrast to his father, who is often described as a high-handed leader.

A video released by Hun Manet on July 7 shows him pledging to work to protect lives, boost the country's international standing and raise living standards. The first promise apparently reflects the Pol Pot era, when authorities reportedly killed more than 1.7 million people, or about one-fifth of Cambodia's population.

Some Japanese diplomatic sources say Hun Manet may become a leader who will take a balanced approach to enhance relations not only with China but also with the US and other countries.

But others say his father may stay in a key position to retain his influence even after he transfers the post of prime minister to his son.