Vietnam promotes solidarity with Palestine

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama speaks at the ceremony. (Source: dangcongsan.vn)

The Palestinian Embassy in Vietnam in conjunction with the Vietnamese Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian People (VCSPP) and the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Association’s Hanoi chapter held a ceremony on November 29 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam-Palestine diplomatic ties (November 19). 

The event also responded to International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29). 

In his remarks, VCSPP President Ho Anh Dung highlighted the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Palestine, saying the Palestine Liberation Organisation opened its representative office in Hanoi in 1976. 

Right after the State of Palestine was proclaimed on November 19, 1988, Vietnam was one of the first countries in the world to recognise its status and elevated the bilateral relationship to the ambassador level, he added. 

Dung noted that over the past 30 years, the friendship and long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and Palestine have continuously been consolidated and enhanced, as reflected through visits by leaders of ministries and agencies of the two countries. 

Over the past years, the VCSPP has joined hands with the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Association’s Hanoi chapter and the Palestinian Embassy to organise various activities such as film screenings, photo exhibitions, and culture, art and information exchanges, helping intensify mutual understanding, solidarity and friendship between the two countries, he said. 

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama expressed his delight at the enhanced bilateral relationship, which, he said, is the pride and valuable asset shared by the two countries. 

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their support for Palestine over the past time. 

At the ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra read the message of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the occasion of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Conference looks at Vietnam’s 20-year APEC membership

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh addresses the conference on Vietnam and APEC in Hanoi on November 30 

The important role of APEC and the clear benefits that Vietnam has gained from its 20-year membership in the grouping have been underlined at a conference held in Hanoi on November 30 by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stressed that joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was a decision of strategic significance to Vietnam, marking an important step forward in implementing a foreign policy of openness, multilateralisation, diversification and economic integration.

The country has reaped remarkable achievements in development and integration during the two decades it has participated in APEC, Minh said.

In the same period, APEC also underwent a profound transition to establish itself as the leading economic cooperation mechanism of the region, leading the way in the liberalisation of trade and investment while promoting the trend of cooperation and multi-level linkages for peace and development, the Deputy PM said.

He attributed the success of APEC to the convergent visions, strong political resolves and untiring efforts of its members, including Vietnam. Vietnam’s imprints in the grouping, particularly as host of APEC Year in 2006 and 2017, have been recognised, Minh said.

At the same time, the Deputy PM noted that new issues have arisen for APEC and Vietnam in the third decade of the 21st century when the world and the Asia-Pacific region are undergoing deep changes.

He pointed to some of the issues, one of which is the fundamental transition the world economy’s foundation in association with the digitalisation process. While enjoying a high growth rate, the world economy also faces many risks, particularly from rising protectionism and trade disputes. The multilateral trade system and the World Trade Organisation are facing the biggest challenges ever since their establishment. Digital technology opens up great potential for productivity and living conditions while also widening the gap of development.

According to Deputy PM Minh, the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Papua New Guinea has revealed challenges to APEC. The forum is encountering difficulties in maintaining the core values of its cooperation, which advocate the multilateral trade system along with free and open trade and investment.

More than ever, APEC should do more to affirm its indispensable role in the forming multi-polar structure, he said.

He proposed that the conference focus discussion on new goals and contents for APEC cooperation in order to maintain APEC’s core values. All initiatives, projects and cooperative schemes of APEC should put the people at the centre, and aim to bring practical benefits to the people and enterprises.

Minh also underlined that APEC should enhance its adaptability and leadership in global economic governance, stressing that the grouping is capable of working as the motive force in building a new economic structure in the region following the principles of openness, fairness, transparency, the rule of law and harmonisation of interests of all stakeholders in and outside the region.

For Vietnam, the Deputy PM said the Asia-Pacific region and APEC will continue to be among key focuses in Vietnam’s external policy. Vietnam commits itself to continue to cooperate with other members to promote the role of APEC towards the goal of building an Asia-Pacific community of peace, stability, dynamism, innovation and prosperity in the interest of the people and enterprises.

At a discussion on APEC as a driving force of regional and global economic growth and connectivity, delegates agreed that more than ever, APEC should lead the way in boosting economic growth and connectivity in the region and addressing challenges in the 21st century.

Participants also made proposals on how to promote Vietnam’s participation and contributions to APEC and the forming regional economic structure.

In the framework of the conference, there was another discussion on a new vision for a dynamic, connected and prosperous Asia-Pacific community, in which APEC plays an indispensable role.

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, representing Vietnam in the APEC Vision Group, said the APEC post-2020 agenda should look to build a resilient, close-knit, inclusive and innovative region.

On the occasion, Deputy PM Minh handed over the Labour Order to 25 units and individuals, in recognition of their contribution to the success of the 2017 APEC Year.

PM chats with the youth about business startup

 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) attends the 2018 Youth Business Startup Forum, Ha Noi, November 29, 2018 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the 2018 Youth Business Startup Forum themed “Seeking breaking solutions to creative startup in Viet Nam.”

The forum attracted the participation of 250 delegates who are the youth, students, and young businessmen with creative startup projects, 50 representatives from the Investment and Startup Club, and other investors and experts in innovative startups. 

The forum offers a playing field for the youth and young enterprises with innovative startup projects, investors, and experts to make proposals, innovations, and solutions and contribute to the national innovative startup ecosystem.

Delegates will spend time discussing startup performance in Viet Nam over the past years; assess mechanisms and policies; seek experience from other countries for effective solutions to developing innovative startups in Viet Nam. 

Statistics showed that Viet Nam has about 1,000 technological startup projects each year. 

Addressing the opening forum, since the campaign on youth business startup support began two years ago, Viet Nam has attained initial outcomes in policy access and media support, said First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Le Quoc Phong. 

Funds on youth business startup were founded in various localities. However, there are numerous obstacles for the youth to access to the support. 

Via the forum, the First Secretary hoped that the youth would uphold knowledge, technique, nurture motive and determination to be confident in business startups and get rich; and make contribution to national development.

Heed always paid to building modern regular army: PM

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (standing) held a working session with the Ministry of Defence in Hà Nội on November 29. 

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc stated that despite coping with difficulties, the Party and State have always paid heed to building the modern regular army at a working session with the Ministry of Defence in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ, Defence Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch, and ministry and sector officials attended the event.

The leader asked the army to be vigilant for sabotage plots of hostile forces, firmly safeguard the national territorial integrity, and do more for the nation building and defence.

He hailed the ministry for devising important strategies and safeguarding the national sovereignty and security in 2018, saying the army and defence forces play an important role in defending the country on the way to socialism, especially in the context of the current complex world situation.

According to the ministry, hostile forces’ sabotage activities against the Party, State and army increased this year.

The defence ministry worked to study and propose guidelines and legal regulations pertaining to military and defence, and submitted to the Political Bureau to issue strategies to protect the national sovereignty, on land and in the cyberspace.

It has promoted its key role in building the strong people’s defence and the people’s security, reinforcing the country’s defensive capacity.

The army has absolute trust in the leadership of the Party and the management of the country by the State and the Government, and its combat readiness has been boosted, the ministry said.

It has implemented soundly the task of enforcing laws at sea and along borderlines; maintained the operation of hotlines and joint patrols with other navies, contributing to safeguarding the country’s territorial, sea and island sovereignty.

Military units have played the key role in search and rescue and post-disaster rebuilding activities, helping with poverty eradication efforts in rural and remote and island areas.

International cooperation has been expanded with more high-ranking visits exchanged and defence dialogues held, contributing to building trust and balancing the country’s relations with world’s powers, and raising the country’s and the army’s prestige internationally.

Next year, the ministry will continue working to improve its research, forecast and assessment capacity to safeguard the national interests, territorial integrity, and peaceful and stable environment for the country’s development.

It will continue to build the people’s defence in association with the people’s security, with the focus on remote, rural, island and border areas.

It will focus on improving its combative power, work closely with other forces to ensure security and order in the country, proactively deal with natural disaster incidents, carry out search and rescue activities, and implement post-war consequence settlement. 

The ministry will continue improving the efficiency of external affairs, developing the defence industry, and performing well combined socio-economic development and defence tasks.

Vietnam-UK defence ties consolidate global peace, stability

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh 

Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to step up defence cooperation, Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh has said.

He made the statement during an interview with a London-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent during his working visit to the UK to attend the first Vietnam-UK Defence Policy Dialogue from November 27-30.

The dialogue took place with the countries celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, he said, adding they have seen positive developments in policy dialogue relations after signing a deal on defence collaboration in 2011.

In addition, bilateral defence ties have been elevated to a level commensurate with the strategic partnership between the two nations, he stressed.

Touching on cooperation between the two militaries, Vinh said that they have exchanged high-level delegations to study defence policies in each nation. 

Besides language training, cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations is a bright point in bilateral defence ties. The UK handed over facilities of the level-2 field hospital in South Sudan in 2018, helping Vietnam reduce cost and time to build a new hospital in the African country, he said, highlighting that the transfer received applause from the UN and the host nation.

The UK stands ready to provide training in English language, military medicine and peacekeeping knowledge for Vietnam in preparation for the country to implement its second level-2 field hospital in replacement of the first one next year.

Also, the UK Ministry of Defence has affirmed it will back Vietnam in training and share experience as Vietnam plans to send groups of sappers to Africa in the near future.

Furthermore, Vietnam and the UK have close ties in medical medicine, hydrographics, maps and marine security, Vinh noted, stating that both sides have a common voice on various issues, ensuring win-win benefits and regional and global peace and stability.

Vietnam, Cuba intensify friendship between armed forces

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Raul Castro (R) receives Sen. Lt. Gen. Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Head of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, in Havana on November 28 

A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence visited Cuba from November 25 to 28 to strengthen the friendship between the two countries, including between their armed forces.

The delegation, led by Sen. Lt. Gen. Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Head of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, had a meeting with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee Raul Castro in Havana on November 28 (local time).

They reviewed the development of the friendship between the peoples, Parties, Governments and armed forces of the two countries over the recent past.

Earlier, the Vietnamese officers were greeted in an official welcome ceremony at Monumento El Cacahual, the resting place of Cuban hero Antonio Maceo. The ceremony was hosted by Alvaro Lopez Miera – member of the PCC’s Politburo, First Deputy Minister of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and Chief of the General Staff of the country’s Revolutionary Armed Forces.

After that, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in defence and other issues of shared concern.

Talking to local media, Cuong said the two sides have the responsibility to continue enhancing the solidarity and trust between the two countries, especially defence relations – a key area of both sides.

During their stay, the delegation also paid respect to Ho Chi Minh at the late Vietnamese President’s monument in Havana, visited some military units, and met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy.

UAE’s 47th National Day marked in Hanoi

UAE flag 

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Vietnam held a ceremony in Hanoi on November 29 to celebrate the UAE’s 47th National Day (December 2) and the 25th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties with Vietnam. 

Speaking at the event, UAE Ambassador to Vietnam Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Al Dhaheri said bilateral ties have been strengthened via mutual visits and support at international organisations and forums, and reflected by the growing two-way trade. 

The UAE has become a major trade partner of Vietnam in the Middle East and Africa with bilateral trade surpassing 6 billion USD, accounting for one-third of Vietnam’s trade with regional countries. Both sides are striving to lift two-way trade to about 10 billion USD by 2020, he said. 

The ambassador described the UAE as a major gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter Africa and the Middle East, while Vietnam is also a gateway for the UAE to access Southeast Asia. 

He said that the launch of daily flights between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai by multiple UAE airlines has increased the number of tourists from the Middle East and Africa to Vietnam and vice versa. Flights by Vietnamese carriers to the regional countries have also given bilateral ties a boost. 

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Nga expressed her belief that under the sound leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE people will continue reaping more successes and making positive contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world. 

She said Vietnam is delighted at the positive development of the bilateral friendship and all-around collaboration, especially in politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment over the past 25 years. 

With the determination of the two countries’ leaders and people, she said that important breakthroughs will be made in bilateral ties, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and the world.

PM receives former German Vice Chancellor

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) received former Vice Chancellor of Germany Philipp Rosler in central Da Nang city on November 29 

The Vietnamese Government has always welcomed feedback from intellectuals, investors and businesses, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed.

He made the remark while hosting former Vice Chancellor of Germany Philipp Rosler in central Da Nang city on November 29, on the occasion of the first Vietnamese Young Intellectual Forum (VYI Forum 2018).

At the meeting, the Vietnamese PM spoke highly of his guest for attending and voicing his opinions at the forum, thus contributing to the development of startups in Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that Rosler, with Vietnamese blood running in his veins, will continue to make contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic growth and help the country become home to many major businesses in the time to come.

For his part, Rosler pledged to contribute more to Vietnam’s development in the future and serve as a bridge connecting Vietnamese businesses with foreign markets, such as Germany, the US and others in Europe. 

He also voiced his hope to provide consultations for some major firms in Vietnam. 

Rosler previously served as German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, and later became a member of the managing board of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Party official affirms importance of ties with China

Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh (R) and Secretary of the Party Committee of Hunan province Du Jiahao

Politburo member and head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh has said that the Vietnamese Party and State attach great importance to maintaining its friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China. 

During a reception in Hanoi on November 29 for Secretary of the Party Committee of Hunan province Du Jiahao, Binh wished that both sides would seriously realise the common perceptions of their senior leaders and increase exchanges to improve the efficiency of cooperation in diverse areas. 

He wished that Hunan and Vietnamese localities would facilitate the sharing of experience in Party building, socio-economic development, and economic and trade collaboration, contributing to the healthy, stable, and effective development of Vietnam-China relations. 

Du, for his part, expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people would surely accomplish tasks set by the 12th National Party Congress. 

He affirmed that the Chinese Party, Government, and people are willing to further foster the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam, adding that China pledges to continue facilitating high-level exchanges and meetings, strengthen political trust, and promote strategic connectivity with Vietnam. 

Hunan stands ready to step up practical and mutually-beneficial cooperation with Vietnamese localities in the fields of economy, trade, investment, education, and tourism, thus laying a solid foundation for the friendship between the two parties, nations and people of China and Vietnam. 

The same day, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hanoi Nguyen Duc Chung held talks with the Chinese guest. 

The two sides informed each other about their respective party and national situations, and discussed ways to nurture ties between Hanoi and Hunan in the near future.

Vice President vows support for Manulife Financial Corp

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Chief Executive Officer & Director at Manulife Financial Corp Roy Gori 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh has assured Vietnam’s consistent policy of supporting Canadian firms and Manulife in particular to effectively operate in the country during a reception for visiting Chief Executive Officer & Director at Manulife Financial Corp Roy Gori in Hanoi on November 29. 

Thinh congratulated Manulife Vietnam on its positive business results after nearly 20 years of its operation, becoming the largest life insurance company in Vietnam. She appreciated the firm’s commitment to joining social and humanitarian activities in the country. 

She expressed her joy to meet with Roy Gori on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties, saying that the bilateral relations have recorded fruitful developments in recent times. 

The two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive partnership, and the two-way trade has continuously surged over 20 percent per year, Thinh said, adding that the relations are hoped to develop more practically and effectively in the time to come, especially after the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)  officially takes effect. 

She suggested Manulife participate more in social and humanitarian activities, especially in disadvantaged localities, and serve as a bridge for Canadian firms to increase investment in Vietnam, contributing to promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. 

For his part, Roy Gori affirmed that his firm has operated successfully in the Vietnamese market. 

Manulife hopes to further grow in the coming time, thus continuously contributing to Vietnam’s development, he said. 

He thanked the Vietnamese State and Government for facilitating the company’s operation, affirming that Manulife always attaches importance to promoting its social responsibility and will increase social activities in the time ahead.

Thua Thien-Hue receives Laos’ Labour Order

Thua Thien-Hue receives Laos’ Labour Order, first class, on November 29

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue on November 29 received Laos’ Labour Order, first class, in recognition of the Vietnamese locality’s contributions to solidarity, friendship and comprehensive between the two countries.

On behalf of the President of Laos, Santiphap Phomvihane, member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Savannakhet province, handed over the noble award to representatives of Thua Thien-Hue.

Santiphap Phomvihane expressed deep gratitude for support that the Party, State and people of Vietnam and Thua Thien-Hue in particular have given to Laos. He pledged to continue implementing cooperation agreements between the two countries to reinforce the traditional friendship and solidarity for mutual development.

Phan Ngoc Tho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thua Thien-Hue highly valued Laos’ recognition to the province’s efforts.

Thue Thien-Hue is always highly aware of the need to promote the comprehensive cooperation with Savannakhet in the two countries’ national building and safeguarding as well as the development of the two provinces.

Over the past years, Thua Thien-Hue has prioritised support to Savannakhet in human resources training. Particularly, the province has directed its health sector to strengthen collaboration with Savannakhet, while training doctors for the Lao locality and receiving patients from Laos to the Hue Central Hospital for treatment, he said.

Particularly, Thua Thien-Hue and Savannakhet have created favourable conditions for each other in trade activities, especially on agro-forestry-fishery products, garment and textiles, cement, wood and handicraft products, he said, adding that the two sides have offered preferential policies to each other’s investors to promote bilateral investment partnership.

Government leader welcomes Cambodian Planning Minister

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes Cambodian Minister of Planning Chhay Than

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Cambodian Minister of Planning Chhay Than in Hanoi on November 29, during which he affirmed that the latter’s visit demonstrates the development of the Vietnam-Cambodia fine neighbourhood, traditional friendship and all-round cooperation.

Chhay Than said his working visit aims to tighten collaboration between the two planning ministries, and thanked the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Planning and Investment for supporting his ministry in human resources training.

He informed the host of the successful outcomes of the talks between the two planning ministries, during which they discussed different measures to expand collaboration in all fields and drafted a Cambodia-Vietnam connectivity programme.

The minister confirmed that Cambodia always remembers Vietnam’s support for its past struggle for national liberation from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime as well as the current nation building and development cause.

He also extended his sympathy to the Vietnamese Government and people over severe losses caused by recent floods and storms.

The Vietnamese PM appreciated cooperation results of the two planning ministries, which, he affirmed, have contributed to socio-economic development in each country and the bilateral relations.

He welcomed the ministries’ signing of an agreement framework on Vietnam-Cambodia economic connectivity by 2030, urging both sides to early build a master plan on the two economies’ connectivity by 2030 as mentioned in the agreement framework.

He voiced his belief that the ministries will promote the cooperation tradition to help tighten the bilateral relations.