Prince Norodom Sihamoni has been picked as new king of Cambodia, Oct.14, 2004(Xinhua Photo) 

    PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Throne Council chose Thursday Prince Norodom Sihamoni a new king of Cambodia, a week after his father Norodom Sihanouk abdicated.

    The Throne Council announced Thursday in a statement that Prince Norodom Sihamoni was selected to be a new king of the Kingdom of Cambodia by the Throne Council, which consists of nine members including Prime Minister Hun Sen.

    The selection was made in the first ever meeting of the Throne Council in the Royal Palace chaired by Chea Sim, president of the Senate and the Cambodian People's Party, and who serves as president of the Throne Council.

    Prince Sihamoni, 51, is son of the royal couple Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Monineath.

    Prince Sihamoni graduated in 1975, from the academy of musical art of Prague, Czechoslovakia, and he spent another year for higher studies of cinematography in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

    Since 1981, he became professor of classical dance and artisticpedagogy in Paris, France, and from 1984 Prince Sihamoni became a president of Khmer Dance Association in France and director general and artistic director of the Ballet Group.

    In a partly political field, Prince Sihamoni was chosen unanimously by the members of the Supreme National Council to be permanent representative of Cambodia to the United Nations in 1992.

    From 1993 to 2004, Prince Sihamoni was appointed as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to UNESCO in Paris, France.

    Prince Sihamoni can speak four foreign languages; French, Czech,English and Russian. Enditem

    Profile of Norodom Sihamoni

    PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Following is the profile of Prince Norodom Sihamoni, who was chosen here on Thursday by a nine-member selection panel to be Cambodia's next king.

    Born on May 14, 1953, in Phnom Penh, he is the son of King Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. From 1959-1962, primary schooling at the Norodom School and then at the Descartes High School in Phnom Penh. From 1962-1967, primary and secondary schooling at a highschool in Prague in Czechosovakia.

    From 1967-1971, attending dance, music and theater courses atthe National Conservatory of Prague.

    In 1970, awarded high school certificate in Prague (with "Very Good" marks).

    In 1971, attending first prize course of classical dance at theNational Conservatory of Prague.

    From 1971-1975, attending higher dance, music and theatercourses at the Academy of Musical Art of Prague.In 1975, graduated from the academy.

    In 1975, author of a thesis on the conception and administration of artistic schools in Cambodia.From 19751976, engaged in higher studies of cinematography inthe Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

    Since 1981, professor of classical dance and artistic pedagogyat the Marius Petipa Conservatory, the Gabriel Faure Conservatoryand the W.A. Mozart Conservatory of the city of Paris. Since 1984, President of the Khmer Dance Association in Franceand Director General and Artistic Director of the Ballet Group "Deva."

    Since 1990, Director General and Artistic Director of the KhmerCinematographic Society "Khemara Pictures."In 1992, chosen unanimously by the members of the Supreme National Council of Cambodia to be permanent representative of Cambodia to the United Nations.

    On Aug. 30, 1993, appointed as ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to UNESCO.

    On Feb. 1, 1994, elevated by the King to the rank of SamdechKrom Khun (Great Prince).

    He knows the Khmer language, fluent in French and Czech, goodEnglish and Russian.

    Decorations: Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon (Cambodia), Grand Officer of the Legion D' Honneur (France). He is unmarried. Enditem