Vietnam invited for G7 ministerial meeting on climate change in Canada

Vietnam has been one of the nine countries invited by Canada to attend the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Working Together on Climate Change, Oceans and Clean Energy. 

Themed “Working together on climate change, oceans and clean energy”, the event will take place from September 19-21 in Halifax city, the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. 

Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Coast Guard Jonathan Wilkinson and Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi will co-chair the meeting. 

Canada is now G7 Chair in 2018. In addition to Vietnam, the remaining invited countries include Argentina, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall island, Nauru, Norway, Seychelles and South Africa. 

They are due to discuss ocean health and response capacity of coastal communities.

Lao leaders hail army cooperation with Vietnam

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith (R) receives Director of the VPA's  General Department of Politics Sen. Lieut. Gen Luong Cuong 

Several Lao leaders have hailed the cooperation between the armies of Laos and Vietnam during their meetings on September 18 in Vientiane with a high-ranking delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) led by Director of the VPA’s General Department of Politics Sen. Lieut. Gen Luong Cuong. 

The VPA delegation made courtesy calls to General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith and Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Chansamone Chanyalath during their official visit to Laos.

The Lao leaders welcomed the visit of the VPA delegation and the outcomes of the talks between the delegation and a delegation of political officers of the Lao People’s Army. 

They said the armies of the two countries should strengthen cooperation across the fields, especially in Party and political work in the current situation, in order to defeat all attempts to undermine and break up the special traditional friendship between the two countries. 

The Lao leaders also emphasized the need to educate the young generations on the special ties between the two countries so that they will continue to nurture the ties. 

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith affirmed that he will continue to support and facilitate defence ties between the two countries. 

Sen. Lieut. Gen Luong Cuong said the VPA’s General Department of Politics will continue to work closely and effectively with the Lao counterpart to strengthen the political and Party ideological position in the army, contributing to enhancing the defence partnership and the relations between the two armies and countries. 

Earlier the same day, Sen. Lieut. Gen Luong Cuong held talks with Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong, Deputy Defence Minister and Director of the General Department of Politics of the Lao People’s Army. 

At the talks, the two sides shared the view that the two General Departments of Politics have collaborated closely in instructing the responsible and effective implementation of the protocol for 2015-2019 and the plans on cooperation between the two Defence Ministries and General Departments of Politics. 

They agreed that bilateral cooperation in the time ahead will focus on consolidating the direct and absolute leadership of the two Parties over the two armies, thus further cementing the mutual trust and effective cooperation between the two Parties, States, peoples and armies, maintaining the peaceful and stable environment for development in each country and defeating all conspiracies aimed at separating the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship.  

The two sides decided to intensify education campaigns to raise the understanding of army officers and soldiers about the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and armies. 

They vowed to work together to enhance the quality of training of high-ranking officers for the two armies, accelerate the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during wartime, while maintaining mutual visits and cultural and sport exchanges. 

The two sides noted the need to collaborate to design plans for communication activities on the 70th founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Army and the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army in 2019. 

Also on September 18, the VPA delegation paid floral tribute at the monument to fallen soldiers in Vientiane. They are scheduled to visit a number of units of the Lao People’s Army on September 19.

Vietnam, Myanmar young army officers foster exchange

Participants at the seminar 

Young officers of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and their peers from the Armed Forces of Myanmar gathered together at a seminar in Hanoi on September 18, which aims to promote exchange and experience sharing between the two sides. 

Hosted by the Youth Department of the General Department of Politics under the Ministry of Defence, the event also saw the participation of representatives from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and units under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence. 

Colonel Dinh Quoc Hung, head of the Youth Department, and Colonel Tin Zaw Latt, head of the Myanmar delegation, co-chaired the event.

In his speech, Colonel Hung said relations between the VPA and the Armed Forces of Myanmar have been constantly strengthened in the context of the Vietnam-Myanmar growing relationship, as seen in the exchange of multi-level delegations.

Military medical and language training links between the two sides have been promoted, while their partnership in telecommunications and defence industry has produced initial positive results, he said. 

He also underlined bilateral coordination and mutual support in regional security forums, especially in the framework of defence and military cooperation among ASEAN member nations. 

Colonel Hung suggested the two sides make recommendation to the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Myanmar to expand collaboration in training young officers as well as in other fields. 

He said young officers of both sides need to support each other in multilateral and international forums, contributing towards the mutual benefit of the two nations, while becoming the key forces in promoting relations between the two States, armies, and people. 

For his part, Colonel Tin Zaw Latt underlined the necessity to increase regular exchanges between the two sides’ young officers to tighten their friendship. 

He expressed his hope that through exchange activities, Myanmar’ young officers will learn from the experience of their Vietnamese peers. 

During their stay in Vietnam, the Myanmar delegation paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, visited the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum, as well as the Trang An tourism complex in Ninh Binh. 

They will also join in friendly sports activities with their counterparts from the Special Force, the Military Technical Academy, and Brigade 241. 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh at the gathering 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh had a warm meeting with staff at the Vietnam Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese expat community in Russia on September 18.

At the gathering in Moscow, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh informed the Vice President on the embassy’s operation, expatriates’ affairs, and the development of Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly after the visit to Russia by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong earlier this September.

Vice President Thinh said in the first nine months of 2018, Vietnam’s economy grew at a rate of 7.08 percent, the highest in 11 years. Most recently, the country hosted the World Economic Forum on ASEAN, attracting the participation of heads of State of 10 countries and 1,000 domestic and international enterprises.

She noted the event reflected Vietnam’s active integration process and its enhanced position and prestige in the global stage.

The Vice President also talked about encouraging outcomes in poverty alleviation, development in culture, education, and health, and sustained political stability and social security and orders.

She urged the expat community to become a bridge connecting the two nations. 

Representatives of Vietnamese associations and clubs in Russia expressed their delight at progress made in their home country across fields, including corruption fighting.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh is in Russia to attend the second Eurasian women’s forum.

Vietnam-Japan relations develop stably in all aspects: Japanese politician

Japanese former Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano

The Vietnam-Japan relations have developed sustainably thanks to similarities in the two peoples’ characteristics - industriousness and honesty, which help enhance mutual trust, according to Japanese former Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano. 

Talking to Vietnam News Agency’s reporters on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relationship, Asano said over the past 45 years, the bilateral ties have been bolstered through not only stable political relations and expanding trade ties but also people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in the fields of education, culture and sports. 

He noted that the rare presence of the Japanese Emperor and Empress at the national banquet held to mark 45th years of diplomatic relations on the occasion of President Tran Dai Quang’s official visit to Japan demonstrates the high esteem that Japan gives to Vietnam.

Asano expressed his belief that further collaboration in the future will bring a bright future to both nations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he said that dialogues should be maintained to prevent conflicts in the waters. He hoped that Vietnam and Japan will foster friendship with China to maintain stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam and Japan set up their diplomatic ties in September 1973. Over the past years, the two countries have become important partners of each other in many fields. Since Vietnam and Japan lift their relationship to an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia in March 2014, the two sides have enjoyed strong, comprehensive and practical progress in bilateral ties.

Bilateral partnership is now at its best time in history since the establishment of diplomatic relationship. Senior leaders of the two sides have maintained regular visits and meetings at international and regional forums. The Prime Minister of Japan visited Vietnam 10 times, while the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives made two visits to Vietnam. 

Speaker of the House of Councillors of Japan Yamazaki visited Vietnam in December 2015, while Prince Akishino paid an official visit to Vietnam in June 1999 and a private visit in August 2012. The Crown Prince visited Vietnam in 2009, and the Japanese Emperor and Empress visited Vietnam in 2017.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the CPV made four visits to Japan, the State President made two visits, the Prime Minister made six official visits and nine working visits, and the National Assembly leader also made two official visits to Japan.

The two sides have implemented important cooperation mechanisms, including the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers (which has met 9 times since 2007), the bilateral strategic dialogue on diplomacy-security-defence at Deputy Foreign Ministerial level (six meetings since 2010), the Vietnam-Japan defence policy dialogue at deputy ministerial level (five meetings since November 2012), and security dialogue at deputy ministerial level (five meetings since November 2013), the joint committee on trade, energy and agriculture cooperation (two meetings since 2014), and the agricultural dialogue at ministerial level (three meetings since 2014).

The two sides have cooperated closely and effectively at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue receives Bulgarian guest

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Bulgarian Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov 

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue on September 18 suggested the Government agencies of Vietnam and Bulgaria support the two countries’ enterprises in fostering their investment and trade cooperation in the time ahead. 

In a reception for visiting Bulgarian Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov in Hanoi, Deputy PM Hue said he hopes Bulgaria will increase investment in Vietnam in fields that overlap between the former’s strengths and the latter’s needs, such as healthcare, high-tech agriculture, IT, renewable energy, and urban management.

He highlighted the traditional friendship between the two nations, affirming that their political and diplomatic ties have been promoted fruitfully through visits made by their high-ranking leaders. 

The two sides have continued to maintain consultations on issues of their common concern and closely cooperated at regional and global forums, especially the UN, the ASEAN-EU cooperation mechanisms, and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), he added. 

According to the Vietnamese official, economic and trade cooperation has recorded positive development, however it remains limited and is yet to live up to its full potential. 

Two-way trade only reaches around 100 million USD per year. Bulgaria’s investment in Vietnam is also modest, reaching only 30 million USD. 

The Deputy PM also called on the Bulgarian side to create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s agricultural products to access the European country, and asked Bulgaria to back and promote the official signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). 

He stressed the need to soon convene the 24th meeting of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee on economic and science-technology cooperation, thus discussing how to expand economic and trade links between the two nations in the coming time. 

For his part, Emil Karanikolov affirmed that the Bulgarian Government attaches great importance to Vietnam and congratulates the nation on its socio-economic achievements during its “Doi moi” (renewal) process. 

Bulgaria will actively push the EU to soon sign the EVFTA and be one of the first countries to approve the agreement at the parliament, he said. 

“With cooperation mechanisms between the two sides, especially Bulgarian incentives for Vietnamese commodities, we hope to become a gateway for Vietnamese products to enter European markets,” he added.

He also informed the host about his working sessions with the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, representatives from the Hanoi People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group. 

Chinese Chief Justice welcomed in Hanoi

Leaders of the Supreme People’s Courts of Vietnam and China pose for a picture 

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh hosted a reception for visiting Chief Justice of the Chinese Supreme People’s Court Zhou Qiang in Hanoi on September 18.

Binh showed his delight at the recent growth of the Vietnam-China relationship with regular high-level visits and meetings as well as delegation exchanges.

He noted that bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment and tourism has been strengthened, while two-way trade has continued rising and Vietnam’s trade deficit with Chinese narrowed.

China remains the largest trade and tourism partner of Vietnam, and Vietnam is the biggest trade partner of China among ASEAN countries, he said, adding that investment collaboration between the two countries has grown steadily.

Hailing cooperation outcomes between the two countries in justice, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding on judicial cooperation between the two Supreme People’s Courts, the Deputy PM held that the results are firm foundation for the two courts to continue learning each other’s experience in court management and judge training.

He said that investigation agencies of Vietnam and China have coordinated closely in investigating high-tech criminals, frauds, human and trafficking cases, while raiding many underworld gangs in the fields.

Affirming Vietnam’s hope to develop friendship and comprehensive cooperation with China and describing it as a long-term, persistent and prioritised policy of Vietnam, the Deputy PM clarified that Vietnam always supports the strengthening of bilateral court affiliation.

He suggested that the court sectors of both sides share experience in judicial reform and increasing justice access for people, making the court activities more transparent and open, and enhancing the sector’s role in anti-corruption.

The two sides should also increase ties in personnel training and IT application as well as the building of e-court, developing legal precedents, and exchange experience in judging, he said.

For his part, Zhou Qiang expressed his impression at the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam as well as the comprehensive growth in the Vietnam-China ties.

Court cooperation between the two sides has been fostered with fruitful outcomes, he said, adding that the court sectors of the two countries will continue focusing on affiliation in personnel training, high technology application, and mutual support in the judicial field.

Zhou held that along with the common development trends of the two sides, the cooperation prospects between the two sectors are high.

The Supreme People’s Court of China is keen on learning from its Vietnamese peer in judicial reform, he stated.

Sympathies offered to the Philippines over Typhoon Mangkhut

President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 18 extended their condolences to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over the tragic loss caused by Typhoon Mangkhut in the country.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh sent his sympathies to Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano over the deadly tropical storm.

Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in two years and also the strongest across the world so far this year, swept through Luzon Island, north of the country on September 15. The storm sustained wind speeds of over 200km per hour and caused power blackouts in several areas.

By the end of September 17, the death toll in the Philippines amounted to 65. There were about 33 people injured and some 45 still unaccounted for.

The typhoon triggered a total of 81 landslides and 13 flooding incidents in the Cordillera Administrative Region alone. It also destroyed many houses and forced over 60,000 households in the northern region of the Philippines to be evacuated.

Additionally, the storm devastated the country’s production of vegetables, rice, and corn with the harvest season just a month away. 

Vietnam, China supreme courts look to intensify professional exchange

Participants of the working session pose for a group photo 

Leaders of the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court (VSPC) had a working session with a visiting delegation from the Supreme People’s Court of China in Ho Chi Minh City on September 18 to seek ways to increase professional exchange.

At the session, Le Hong Quang, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Deputy Chief Justice of the VSPC, stated the Chinese delegation’s visit to Vietnam affirms a close cooperation between the two courts, thus reflecting the friendship between the Vietnamese and Chinese parties and governments.

Agreeing with Quang, Zhou Qiang, President of the Supreme People’s Court of China, said the court collaboration has recorded various milestones over the past years, with Chief Justice of the Vietnam Supreme People's Court Nguyen Hoa Binh’s visit to China last May.

Zhou said the two countries’ judicial systems share similarities, including the overload of cases that need to be handled each year in major cities.

Noting the development of precedents in Vietnam over the past three years, he said the Supreme People’s Court of China has an institute on precedents which studies judges’ indictments to form precedents. 

He expected the two sides will step up experience exchange and cooperation in the field.

Also at the working session, Chief Judge of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court Ung Thi Xuan Huong introduced the guests to the municipal justice system, which has 600 judges, each tackling 12 – 15 cases per month. The number of cases in the city accounts for one six of the entire nation’s figure.