Cambodia's Hun Sen defends succession plan, denies China 'debt trap'

TOKYO -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday hit back at criticism of his plans to pass power directly to his eldest son, Hun Manet, while also rejecting suggestions that the country is overly dependent on China.

The 69-year-old leader, who has been in power for 37 years, announced in December his intention for Manet to take the reins, ending speculation that the 44-year-old army chief was being groomed for the role.