HCM City keen to boost ties with US

Ho Chi Minh City highly values the development of US science-technology, health care and education, and wishes to boost with the US in the fields of mutual concern.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai made the statement during his reception for US newly-accredited Ambassador Theodore G. Osius in the city on December 29.

HCM City witnesses the increasing number of direct and indirect investors from the US with the growing investment, the city’s official, adding that the US is among countries and territories having the high number of tourists to the city.

He also spoke highly of the growing relations between Vietnam and the US.

In response, Ambassador Osius described the two countries’ preparations for the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral ties as a good chance for both sides to regularly exchange high-level delegations and enhance cooperation in trade, economics, health care, education and environment.

He expressed his belief that the two countries’ conclusion of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement in the coming time will open up conditions for both sides to promote investment.

Ideas gathered to perfect law on alcohol misuse’s prevention

Experts and officials commented on laws and policies regarding the prevention of alcohol abuse and its negative impacts, which are emerging as a pressing issue today.

At a workshop held in Hanoi on December 30, they were introduced to a draft law on preventing and combating alcohol abuse harmful effects by Nguyen Huy Quang, head of the Ministry of Health’s Legal Affairs Department.

A Bloomberg-funded road safety project shows that 20.8 percent of adolescent boys in Vietnam admitted to drink-driving and having accidents that took them at least one week to recover.

To curb negative effects of alcohol abuse, persuasive evidence should be provided, communication activities stepped up, relevant laws crafted, legal regulations’ influence broadcast, and adequate resources should be put in place, Quang said.

Since 2010, the country has designed five messages against drink-driving that were broadcast on prime hours on television and radio channels and posted on e-newspapers and websites. An estimated 60-70 percent of the population accessed these messages.

Tightened supervision over drink-drivers, which has brought about initial outcomes, needs to be maintained, participants at the workshop said.

According to Quang, the draft law on preventing and combating alcohol abuse negative impacts will, apart from overall regulations, also stipulate measures controlling alcohol demand and supply, reducing alcohol misuse’s harmful effects, and ensuring resources for the work.

At the function, participants also touched upon influence of alcohol advertisement, promotion and sponsorship as well as more facts of alcohol misuse in Vietnam.

Vietnamese, Cambodian localities try to build border of peace

Building a shared border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development is the key task of the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong and its neighbouring Cambodian province of Muldulkiri in 2015.

The task was set at a meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA)’s Dak Nong chapter in Gia Nghia town on December 30.

In 2014, the association worked closely with army forces to update local people on regulations for border areas and encourage them to comply with it.

Besides, it gave advice to local authorities on policies towards the formation of a shared border of peace and friendship while launching a series of activities to support the Muldulkiri authorities and people and promoting cooperation in trade and culture between the two localities.

Dak Nong province also helped Muldulkiri build its office building and develop agriculture, as well as provide free medical check-ups and medicine for the Cambodian province.

In 2015, the association will continue further promoting the traditional relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two localities, especially in trade, science-technology.

President attends 70th national police conference

The public security force has fulfilled its tasks of maintaining national security and social order and safety, said President Truong Tan Sang while attending the 70th national police conference in Hanoi on December 30.

The sector has promptly detected and prevented the sabotage plots and activities of hostile and reactionary forces, he said, noting the complicated developments of crimes, especially organised ones, which threaten social stability and people’s life.

However, the State leader pointed out its shortcomings in investigating criminal cases and preventing crimes.

The leading task of the force is to rely on the combined strength of the entire political system, army and people as well as continuously improve professional knowledge to firmly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, he said.

President Sang also emphaised the need for the sector to protect the Party, State, people and socialism as well as the cause of national renewal, industrialisation and modernisation.

NA Chairman praises NA-Fatherland Front joint work

What the National Assembly (NA) has achieved is partly attributable to its coordination with Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), top legislator Nguyen Sinh Hung said.

He was speaking at a conference in Hanoi on December 29 to review collaboration between the NA Standing Committee and the Presidium of VFF Central Committee for 2014 and laying out their 2015 tasks.

Joint work made by the NA, the NA Standing Committee and VFF received support from the public, strengthening their trust in the Party leadership and the State’s policies, he said.

As 2015 is the final year when the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan comes to an end and the Party Congresses at all levels are held in preparation for the 12th National Party Congress, the NA Chairman expected both sides to continue working together on law-making and law enforcement while improving the quality of their meetings with constituents as well as commentary on social issues.

Looking back upon 2014, the VFF launched campaigns “the whole nation unites to build cultural lifestyle in residential areas”, “Day for the Poor”, “Vietnamese prioritise Vietnamese goods”, which have won support from the NA Standing Committee, the Council of Ethnic Affairs, NA Committees and lawmakers.

The VFF has partnered with the NA Standing Committee in raising public awareness and putting Constitution into full place.

However, the VFF also admitted its shortcomings in offering less thought-out feedback on a number of bills and the settlement of constituents’ suggestions, among others.

Association actively supports Vietnamese in Cambodia

The General Association of Vietnamese Cambodian People held a meeting to review its performance in 2014 and map out orientations for next year in Phnom Penh on December 29.

The association proposed Cambodian authorities continue to take care of and give assistance to the Vietnamese Cambodians, especially in terms of legal status and material facilities, said Chairman Chau Van Chi, who was elected as a member of the 13th tenure of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Executive Board.

It received support from authorities of southern cities and provinces of Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Thap and An Giang in building schools, granting scholarships, and opening vocational training courses for Vietnamese expatriates.

The association was also active in cultural and educational work, illustrated by supporting natural disaster victims, providing free health check-ups and medicine, and presenting gifts to underprivileged Vietnamese and Cambodian people.

In 2015, the association will continue to develop its apparatus by establishing new executive boards at grassroots levels, increasing its membership, and guiding the Vietnamese expatriates to register for the foreigner’s legal status implemented by the Cambodian Ministry of Internal Affairs in July 2014.

It will also expand operation in the Cambodian provinces of Preah Vihear, Oddar Mean Chey, Kep, Pailin, and Tbong Kmmum.

Thorough survey needed to avoid rushing into building ships: President

President Truong Tan Sang has asked authorities of central Khanh Hoa province and relevant agencies to thoroughly survey local fishery reserves and fishing capacity to avoid rushing into building offshore fishing ships resulting in wastefulness.

During his fact-finding tour of Khanh Hoa on December 27, he said the province also has to base on the local situation to carry out suitable assistance policies targeting fishermen and timely ride out hindrance.

President Truong Tan Sang visited the ship yard of the Nha Trang University’s Institute for Ship Research and Manufacturing, which is building a number of composite fishing ships for fishermen in the region.

Fisherman Tran Van Phat and officials of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said newly-issued fisheries policies have brought hope to fishermen. However, obstacles still exist, especially in the implementation of Decree 67 as only few can access preferential bank loans for building fishing vessels.

The leader welcomed feedback on shipbuilding assistance policies and the increase of law enforcement forces at sea, adding that several countries with advanced fishing industry are helping Vietnam improve its fishing and product preservation techniques.

Once local seafood meets quality standards, their product value will increase considerably, he noted.

Meanwhile, the leader also told local agencies to carefully test functions of composite ships constructed using Japanese technology so as to find out models most appropriate to fishermen in terms of prices, function, capacity, fuel consumption, and product preservation.

The same day, he visited fisherman Tran Van Dat, who owns two tuna fishing vessels, in Thanh Dat village, Phuoc Dong communes, and toured the Hon Ro fishing port, which is being upgraded and expected to be a tuna auction centre and one of the five key fisheries facilities of Vietnam.

The Government’s Decree 67, taking effect from August 25, provides a full, systematic and synchronous set of basic policies to encourage fishermen build high-capacity, iron-covered ships capable of fishing offshore, a practice that could earn fishermen higher incomes, and at the same time contribute to protecting the country’s territorial waters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has decided that as many as 2,079 new off-shore fishing ships and 205 logistics ships will be built under the Decree.

Cuban diplomats visit Hoa Binh province

Representatives from the Cuban Embassy and Hanoi’s Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association visited the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh on December 27 on the occasion of Cuba’s 56 th National Day (January 1, 1959-2015).

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Khanh congratulated Cuba on the National Day. On this day 56 years ago, the Cuban people, under the leadership of President Fidel Castro, toppled the Batista dictatorial regime and established the first state of workers and peasants in the Western hemisphere, leading the country into a new era of independence and freedom.

He also introduced local potentials and strengths and asked the Cuban Embassy to work as a bridge connecting the two sides’ business circles.

At the meeting, Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz stressed that the countries’ relations have been consolidated throughout history, and he will do his utmost to strengthen their friendship and promote the long-term cooperation with Hoa Binh.

Deputy PM receives Laos’ provincial delegation

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received in Hanoi on December 27 a high-level delegation of Laos’ Luang Prabang province, led by Governor Khampheng Saysompheng.

The Deputy PM warmly welcomed the delegation, saying that the visit helps to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

In response, Khampheng Saysompheng, who is also Secretary of Luang Brabang’s provincial Party Committee, briefed the host on the recent signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between his province and Vietnam’s northern province of Hoa Binh.

Under the MoU, the two sides will promote joint activities in education, health, trade, industry, investment, agriculture, culture and tourism in the coming time.

NA Chairman meets with Danish Ambassador

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received outgoing Danish Ambassador John Nielsen in Hanoi on December 30, noting that Vietnam appreciates Denmark's valuable assistance in the past years.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung receives outgoing Danish Ambassador John Nielsen in Hanoi on December 30.

The Vietnamese leader highly valued the two countries' growing friendship and multifaceted cooperation, especially through regular high-ranking delegation exchanges.

The Danish Government's official development assistance (ODA) has greatly contributed to improving Vietnam's workforce quality, socio-economic development, and international integration, he added.

He also highlighted strengthened ties between the two parliaments demonstrated through active legislative and supervisory experience sharing.

Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung spoke highly of Ambassador Nielsen's contributions to bilateral relations and expressed his hope that the diplomat will continue working to foster the countries' links.

For his part, the ambassador said he is impressed at Vietnam 's vigorous socio-economic development in recent years, adding that the National Assembly's adoption of the revised Laws on Investment and Enterprises will help improve the business environment and call for more foreign investments.

Denmark pledges to extend ODA provision for Vietnam with a focus on climate change response, culture, and education, he added.

On this occasion, the diplomat conveyed Danish Parliament Speaker Mogens Lykketoft's invitation to the Vietnamese Chairman to visit the European country in 2015.

President Sang praises police force, People's Court for upholding law

The public security force fulfilled its tasks of maintaining national security and social order and safety, President Truong Tan Sang said at the 70th national police conference yesterday (Dec 30) in Ha Noi.

The sector promptly detected and prevented the sabotage plots and activities of hostile and reactionary forces, although shortcomings remained in criminal investigation and crime prevention, according to the State leader.

The leading task of the force was to rely on the combined strength of the entire political system, army and people and continuously improve professional knowledge in order to firmly safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

President Sang also emphasised the need for the sector to protect the Party, State, people and socialism as well as the causes of national renewal, industrialisation and modernisation.

At a year-end working session with the Supreme People's Court, he called on the court to improve the quality and efficiency of its judging activities while paying more attention to personnel training.

The President, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, urged the court to continue the enforcement of the 2013 Constitution and the revised Law on People's Court Organisation with a view to gradually perfecting its apparatus.

Lauding the court's 2014 efforts, the State leader spoke highly of its determination to fix mistakes, ensuring human rights and justice.

Courts at all levels handled 92.8 per cent of 415,038 cases accepted during 2014, according to a report introduced at the meeting. The ratio of canceled and amended verdicts was 1.61 per cent, a fall of 0.1 per cent.

The Supreme People's Court, in co-ordination with the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Ministry of Public Security, handled 102 cases claiming innocence.

President urges Supreme People’s Court’s better judgment quality

President Truong Tan Sang asked the Supreme People’s Court to further improve the quality and efficiency of its judging activities while paying more attention to personnel training at a year-end working session with the court on December 30.

The President, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, urged the court to continue the enforcement of the 2013 Constitution and the revised Law on People’s Court Organisation with a view to gradually perfecting its apparatus.

Lauding the court’s efforts in 2014, the State leader spoke highly its determination to fix mistakes in some cases, ensuring human rights as well as social justice and fairness.

According to a report at the meeting, during 2014, courts at all levels handled 385,356 out of 415,038 accepted cases, or 92.8 percent. The ratio of canceled and amended verdicts was 1.61 percent, a fall of 0.1 percent.

The Supreme People’s Court, in coordination with the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Ministry of Public Security, handled 102 cases claiming innocence, added the report.

Chinese county, Cao Bang eye closer cooperation

The Chinese county of Jingxi in Guangxi province wants to further boost cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism and education with the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, particularly with its neighbouring districts of Tra Linh, Trung Khanh and Ha Quang.

Secretary of the Jingxi Party Committee Huang Xiao Ning told the provincial authorities on December 30 that his locality expects Cao Bang to accelerate the construction of border economic and trade areas and establish a long-term talk mechanism.

He suggested holding more exhibitions and cultural exchanges while developing bilateral cooperation in cultivation and farm produce processing.

The host agreed with Jingxi’s proposals, including the launch of an adventure cruise tour and twinning relationship, making it easier for Chinese businesses to invest in the province.

Jingxi is home to 650,000 people and boasts a rich mineral reserve. For the past time, collaboration between Jingxi and Tra Linh, Trung Khanh and Ha Quang in border economic development, agriculture and tourism has come a long way.

VNS/VNN