Government News 27/3 Vietnam, China forge military cooperation   Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang receives Maj. Gen. Shen Zhihua from the Chinese Academy of Military Science in Hanoi on March 26.   Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang hosted a reception for a delegation of the Academy of Military Science (AMS) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, led by Maj. Gen. Shen Zhihua, Director of the AMS’s political department, in Hanoi on March 26. Welcoming his guests, Giang, also chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, lauded the results of the workshop on ideology of Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong on the Vietnam-China friendship and solidarity held earlier the same day. The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Defence’s Institute for Defence Strategy of Vietnam and the AMS. Vietnam’s Party, State and people highly appreciate China’s support in the past, he said, adding that cooperation between the two institutes for defence studies will improve mutual understanding between the armed forces and people of the two countries and further promote bilateral relations, he added. Shen said strengthened partnerships between the two defence bodies will play a significant part in fostering their armed forces’ ties. The workshop on ideology of Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong took place in Hanoi on March 26 morning with both military and non-military scholars and specialists in attendance. Presentations at the event highlighted Vietnam and China’s support for each other in struggles for independence and nation building. The attendees agreed that President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong laid a foundation for the development of the Vietnam-China relations. Ambassador meets Vietnamese community in Mali    Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Mali Pham Quoc Tru Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Mali Pham Quoc Tru met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Mali as part of his visit to the African country from March 23-28. Ambassador Tru briefed the community on Vietnam’s development in recent years, as well as the Party and State’s policies for Vietnamese communities abroad. He discussed difficulties facing the community and their proposals to the Party and State. Currently, about 300 Vietnamese people are living in Mali. Most of them run small businesses or work as hired labourers, and life isn’t easy. They live in different localities, making it difficult to gather and support each other. The diplomat also mentioned obstacles facing the embassy in assisting the Vietnamese community in Mali. Representatives of the Vietnamese community proposed that the embassy send more working groups to Mali to help them tackle their difficulties. During the meeting, the embassy delegation also helped solve issues related to legal documents for the overseas Vietnamese.- Ho Chi Minh City, Slovakia’s Bratislava region enhance ties    Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R) receives Governor of Bratislava region Juraj Droba (Source: hochiminhcity.gov.vn) Ho Chi Minh City and Slovakia’s Bratislava region hold much potential to strengthen cooperation, as they share the similarity in their role in the respective country’s economic development. The statement was made by Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong at his reception on March 26 for visiting Governor of the region Juraj Droba. Phong spoke highly of Droba’s working visit, stressing that this is an opportunity for both sides to boost cooperation in trade, investment and tourism. He pledged that the city always creates all favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Slovakia. The city hopes to cooperate with Bratislava region in the fields of garment and textiles, footwear, agricultural and aquatic product processing, and higher education cooperation in energy and agricultural research, and share experience in building smart cities and developing tourism, financial and banking system with the region, he added. Droba affirmed that Bratislava region will do its utmost to bolster its ties with HCM City, especially in trade and tourism. The region always welcomes Ho Chi Minh City’s enterprises and is willing to be a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to enter the European market, he said. He also committed to becoming an ambassador introducing the image of Vietnamese land and people to Slovaks, and facilitating Slovak enterprises’ investment in Vietnam. Slovakia is currently running eight projects totalling 245 million USD, ranking 35th out of the 122 nations and territories pouring capital into Vietnam. The Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Building – a symbol of the two countries’ solidarity and friendship – is located in Ho Chi Minh City. President condoles with Russian counterpart on shopping mall fire   At the scene (Source: TASS) President Tran Dai Quang on March 26 cabled a message of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a fire at a shopping mall in Kemerovo city that left scores of people dead and injured a day earlier.  As of March 26, nearly 64 were confirmed dead, 15 of them have been identified. The mall was opened in 2013 and has shops, a parking lot for 250 cars, and a children's centre among other facilities, the Tass reported. PM requests best preparations for GMS-6, CLV-10   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested the best preparations for the sixth Mekong Greater Sub-Region Summit (GMS-6) and the 10th Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Development Triangle Summit (CLV-10) scheduled for March 29-31 in Hanoi.  The meetings are part of the largest multilateral diplomatic events to be held in Vietnam in 2018.  The PM made the request during a meeting in Hanoi on March 26, saying that successful organisation of the GMS-6 and CLV-10 will improve Vietnam’s political prestige, role and position on the international arena and continue the success of the APEC Year 2017.  He asked ministries, agencies and localities to fully uphold responsibilities and well prepare for reception, logistics, agenda and security at the events.  The Foreign Ministry was assigned to coordinate the efforts.  In order to ensure security and safety of thousands of delegates and reporters, the Ministry of Public Security will partner with the ministries of National Defence and Public Health in the work, with attention given to counter-terrorism.  The municipal People’s Committee was required to keep environment clean before, during and after the meetings.  Themed “Leveraging 25 years of cooperation, Building an integrated, sustainable and prosperous GMS”, the GMS-6 will mark the 25th founding anniversary of GMS cooperation and define cooperation orientations to building a region of prosperity, integration and sustainable development. According to the Foreign Ministry, more than 2,000 delegates together with 200 businesses, corporations, international organisations, development partners and the media are expected to attend the event.  Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc said it is the first time Vietnam has initiated holding a business forum within the GMS-6 framework with a view to increasing dialogues between States and businesses and forging links between regional and global enterprises. The GMS comprises of Cambodia, China (Yunnan and Guangxi provinces), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In 1992, the six countries entered into a programme of sub-regional economic cooperation, designed to enhance economic relations among the countries, as an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Priority fields include infrastructure development, energy, telecommunications, tourism, trade-investment, human resources, and the environment. Meanwhile, the CLV Development Triangle Area was established in 1999, covering Vietnam’s Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces; Laos’ Sekong, Attapeu and Saravan provinces; and Cambodia’s Stung Treng, Rattanak Kiri, and Mondul Kiri. In 2009, the three countries agreed to add Vietnam’s Binh Phuoc province, Cambodia’s Kratie province, and Laos’ Champasak province to the area. Its cooperation focuses on the fields of security, external affairs, transport, industry, agriculture, trade, investment and environmental protection. PM urges Japan’s Mitsubishi to expand investment in Vietnam   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and CEO and President of Mitsubishi Corporation Takehiko Kakiuchi.  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation to expand investment in infrastructure, airport transport, seaports and energy, especially renewable energy, in Vietnam.  The leader made the suggestion at a reception for CEO and President of Mitsubishi Corporation Takehiko Kakiuchi in Hanoi on March 26, during which he stressed that the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategy partnership has developed strongly, comprehensively and practically across fields, with high mutual political trust.  Japan was a leading economic partner, the largest official development assistance (ODA) supplier, the fourth biggest trade partner and No. 1 investor of Vietnam in 2017, he said.   The PM affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to economic cooperation with Japan, noting Japanese investors’ prestige in Vietnam as well as their contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.  However, he said, Japan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam makes up only 3 percent of its total FDI in Asia, and lower than its investment in a number of Southeast Asian nations.  The Vietnamese Government has completed institutions and mechanisms to create more favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Japan, the PM emphasised.  Applauding investment and business activities of Mitsubishi in Vietnam, he suggested the corporation heed manufacturing, automobile and food processing industries in the country.  He used the occasion to call on Vietnamese and Japanese businesses to increase exchange and cooperation in order to utilise opportunities generated by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to which both Vietnam and Japan are members.  In reply, Takehiko Kakiuchi applauded PM Phuc’s suggestions, saying they match his corporation’s investment strategy in Vietnam in the time to come.    He said the great cooperation achievements between Vietnam and Japan have offered more opportunities for Japanese firms, including Mitsubishi, to intensify exchange, and expand cooperation and investment in Vietnam.   He also called on PM Phuc and competent Vietnamese agencies to continue their support and create the best possible conditions for the corporation to invest and operate in the country. Lao PM calls for Vietnam-Laos stronger inspection bond   Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (R) and Vietnamese Government Inspector General Le Minh Khai  Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has stressed that cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, particularly in inspection, will effectively contribute to preventing corruption in the two countries.  Receiving Vietnamese Government Inspector General Le Minh Khai in Vientiane on March 26 on the occasion of his ongoing working visit to Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted the recent cooperation between the two countries’ inspectorates.  He said experience shared by the Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate is very valuable to his country, suggesting the agency strengthen the experience sharing with the Lao Government Inspection Authority.  He also thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their great support for the Lao people in recent years, especially in capital and human resources training in the inspection work.  For his part, Khai expressed his joy at the increasing development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in recent time, especially in economy, trade, investment, security and defence.  Effective collaboration between the two inspectorates has significantly contributed to the two countries’ development, he added. He briefed the host on the outcomes of the talks with his Lao counterpart Bounthong Chithmany, saying that the two sides had a useful discussion on experience in directing and managing the inspection work, settlement of complaints and denunciations, and anti-corruption.  Khai affirmed the Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate has always shared with and also learned good experience from the Lao Government Inspection Authority in inspection-related matters. He also asked the Lao PM to continue facilitating cooperation between the two agencies in the coming time, towards strengthening the partnership in a more practical and effectively. Earlier the same day, the delegations of Vietnam and Lao inspectorates held talks in Vientiane, during which the two sides affirmed to continue doing their utmost to further promote their cooperation, thus fostering the traditional friendship between the two agencies in particular as well as the special relations and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general. Friendship tour connects foreign diplomats, officials in Hanoi   Vietnamese and foreign participants of the friendship spring trip pose for a photo (Source: VOV)  Four hundred representatives from foreign embassies and organisations in Vietnam took part in a spring trip around the Co Loa historical relic site and Dao Thuc water puppetry village in Hanoi on March 24. The tour was organised by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Associations and the municipal Tourism Department, with both destinations located in Dong Anh district. In Co Loa – the biggest and most ancient citadel in Vietnam, participants offered incenses to pay tribute to King An Duong Vuong, who built the site between 214 and 208 BC as the capital of his Au Lac, one of the earliest Vietnamese kingdoms. The destination has been classified as a national special relic site. In Dao Thuc village, the foreign visitors were treated to water puppet performances depicting the life of ancient people in the northern delta.  Chairwoman of the municipal Union of Friendship Associations Nguyen Lan Huong said the annual spring trip not only introduces Vietnam’s cultural features to international friends but also offers a gathering opportunity to boost cultural exchange and mutual understanding among participants. Huong said Hanoi is striving to develop an image of a safe and peaceful city. On behalf of the foreign representatives, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, who headed the diplomatic corps, thanked organisers of the tour for their hospitality.  He said he believes activities for peace and friendship like this will contribute to building a better future for Vietnam and consolidating its position internationally. Vietnam active in pushing for enhanced GMS cooperation   The 22nd Ministerial Conference on "Greater GMS achievements through stronger and pragmatic cooperation" hosted by Vietnam in September, 2017.  Vietnam has actively taken part in developing initiatives for enhanced cooperation within the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) to boost economic growth, strengthen economic connectivity and aid poverty reduction effort in the region. The GMS comprises of Cambodia, China (Yunnan and Guangxi provinces), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In 1992, the six countries entered into a programme of sub-regional economic cooperation, designed to enhance economic relations among the countries, as an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Priority fields include infrastructure development, energy, telecommunications, tourism, trade-investment, human resources, and the environment. As of December 2017, about 6 billion USD has been poured into GMS cooperation projects in Vietnam, representing 30 percent of the total value of GMS loans and financial aids. Of the amount, transport accounted for 87 percent, followed by urban development (7.9 percent), agriculture and natural resources (3.7 percent), healthcare and social welfare (2.7 percent), industry and trade (0.4 percent), trade facilitation and transport (0.2 percent). Substantial progress has been made in terms of transport infrastructure development since 1992 with the formation of vital economic corridors to promote trans-border economic and social activities. Vietnam holds key nodes in three GMS economic corridors – the Southern Coastal Corridor (GMS-SCC) which links Thailand to southern Vietnam via Cambodia, the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) that links Myanmar to Vietnam via central Thailand and Laos, and the North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC) with sub-veins linking China and Vietnam. The corridors will help Vietnam reap most benefits from improved transport connectivity and growing trade and investment in areas along them. Many ABD-funded road projects have been completed and put into use, including HCM City-Moc Bai and Dong Ha-Lao Bao routes operational in 2005; and 244km Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway, the longest of its kind in Vietnam, in 2014. Vietnam signed the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) in 1999 and has ratified all CBTA’s annexes, enabling the reduction of amount of time spent in crossing border for vehicles, goods and passengers and facilitating trade. Since 2012, Vietnam and China have facilitated each other’s vehicles crossing shared borders on the Kunming – Hanoi – Hai Phong and Hanoi – Nanning – Shenzhen routes. The same year, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand roads connecting capital cities of the three countries with two large sea ports – Laem Chabang (Thailand) and Hai Phong (Vietnam) on the EWEC. In terms of energy, Vietnam has taken part in the Regional Indicative Master Plan on Power Interconnection in the GMS, paving the way for the country to bolster electricity trading and push for the establishment of institutions to ensure power security within the region. By attending meetings of the GMS Regional Power Trade Coordination, Vietnam has got updates on the GMS countries’ markets and energy-related plans and greatly benefited from ADB’s technical support. The country has played an active role in the GMS’s trade and investment promotion events and enhancing regional partnership in agriculture, tourism, and telecommunications. It has also contributed to the GMS’s effort in controlling cross-border infectious diseases, such as SARS, bird flu, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis which are priorities of the regional cooperation in healthcare. This year, Vietnam will host the sixth GMS Summit (GMS-6) in Hanoi from March 29-31. Themed “Leveraging 25 years of cooperation, Building an integrated, sustainable and prosperous GMS”, the GMS-6 is expected to draw about 2,000 delegates and 150 reporters. It aims to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the GMS Programme and define cooperation orientations to build a region of prosperity, integration and sustainable development. For the first time, a business forum will be held within the framework of the GMS-6 as an initiative of host Vietnam, with a view to increasing dialogues between States and businesses and forging links between regional and global enterprises. VNN