GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 17/7 NA leader reviews rice production in Nam Dinh National Assembly Chairman, Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday, July 16, visited the northern province of Nam Dinh, to find out more about its new rural construction programme. The programme has helped Nam Dinh to become one of the biggest rice producing provinces in the Red River Delta.   NA Chairman, Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday visited the northern province of Nam Dinh, to find out more about its new rural construction programme. At his meeting with the provincial authorities, the NA leader asked the province to continue restructuring its agricultural sector as well as carrying on with its model of farming extremely large rice fields, which is of benefit to all the farmers concerned. At present, the province has 150 large-scale rice fields, which take up more than 8,700ha. With the new model, farmers made around VND95 million ($US4500) per hectare last year, 1.5 times more than in 2008. Between 2010-2015 the programme involved 96 communes and towns across the province. During this time the average income of farmers increased significantly, reaching VND20.7 million ($995) last year from VND10.6 million ($500) in 2008. The rate of poor households also fell dramatically, down to 6.72 per cent last year. Earlier that morning, Hung visited Hai Hau District, one of the five localities nationwide chosen by the Government to carry out the programme on building new rural areas. After talking with the local authorities and people, he highlighted the important role farmers play in the country's socio-economic development plans. The programme's ultimate target was to benefit the people, both materially and spiritually, he stressed. Religious affairs to be promoted Vietnam should strengthen religious affairs overseas, especially in its neighbours such as Laos and Cambodia, and other countries with large numbers of religious followers. Maintaining regular contact with the Vatican is also a primary task, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the Government Committee for Religious Affairs at a meeting in Hanoi on July 16. He said religious work overseas has helped international friends deepen their understanding of religious practices in Vietnam, as well as the country’s consistent policy on freedom of religion and belief. He asked relevant agencies to create conditions for religions to take part in people-to-people diplomacy, and to effectively implement policies for Vietnamese nationals, including religious followers, residing abroad. The designated agencies need to further disseminate Party guidelines and State policies on religious affairs, contributing to refuting hostile forces’ slanderous allegations about religious practices in Vietnam, Phuc said. The Deputy PM also asked the committee to improve its staff’s capabilities and complete legal documents on State management of religion, so as to meet the real situation in Vietnam and be in line with international law. Vietnam has approximately 24 million religious followers, making up nearly one third of the country’s total population. Over the years, western countries have acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in implementing its religious policy, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vietnam has developed diplomatic ties with 177 countries and territories across the globe. Some of its religious sects such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Muslim and Protestantism have established relations with international religious organisations. Hotline receives information on Vietnam’s sea, islands A hotline that people can make free calls to give information on items and publications on Vietnam’s sea and islands sovereignty has gone live. Jointly established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Communications, the hotline is part of a Prime Minister’s directive on collecting, assessing, making public and using documents, maps and publications related to Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands. The directive also offers rewards for individuals and collectives presenting the documents. The hotline has been available since June. Lawmakers review policies on foreigner immigration The National Assembly’s Committee of National Defence and Security in Hanoi on July 16 reviewed how effectively implement policies on immigration, migration and residence of foreigners in Vietnam. Since the ordinance on immigration, migration and residence of foreigners came into force on August 1, 2000, the number of foreigners entering Vietnam has grown by 20-30% every year and the figure in 2012 was six times that of 2000. Nearly 23 million foreign arrivals have been recorded in Vietnam, rising by 18.57% each year. Around 14,500 projects funded by investors from 98 countries and territories are underway in 63 cities and provinces nationwide. According to officials from relevant ministries and departments, the ordinance is a boost to Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-control, peace, cooperation, development, multilateralism and diversification of international relations. Legal regulations on immigration into Vietnam and foreigners’ movements and residence inside the country have been simplified, and administrative procedures are now more straightforward, attracting greater numbers of foreigners to Vietnam for travel or business purposes. However, they also pointed to drawbacks like the absence of a comprehensive system of legal documents that have yet to match realities, and the need of amendments and supplements on a regular basis. These documents, they said, have yet to clearify the responsibilities and rights of State management agencies involved. The Ministry of Public Security reported that violations made by foreigners mainly involve illegal immigration, undeclared temporary residence, and travel without a passport or visa. In some cases, after being arrested for failing to present personal identification papers, violators refused to work with law enforcement officials. Since 2000, authorised forces have uncovered and dealt with some 74,500 violations in the field. Many shared the view that the NA should issue a Law on Immigration, Migration and Residence of Foreigners in the country. The draft Law is scheduled for debate at the NA’s upcoming sixth session. Sympathy to Chinese flood victims Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on July 16 extended sympathy to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the recent floods and landslides in Sichuan and some southern provinces of China that caused great human and material losses. As of July 15, heavy downpours, which started on July 7, had left at least 68 dead and 179 missing. The natural disaster damaged more than 170,000 houses and 156,000ha of agricultural crops. Initial economic damage is estimated at 20.8 billion Chinese yuan. Vietnam, China further defence cooperation Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Thanh Cung on July 16 held talks with Senior Lieutenant General Zhang Yang, Director of General Political Department under Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung is leading a delegation from the Vietnamese Defence Ministry on a working visit to China to exchange experience with PLA’s judicial agencies. The host praised the visit, saying that cooperation between the two armies is considered as an important pillar which contributes to enhancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam. In the past years, ties between the two armies have seen good cooperation in many fields. Many delegation exchanges have taken place, he said. The head of the Vietnamese delegation stressed the Vietnamese side’s policy of building, maintaining and developing the fine relationship with China. Vietnam always remembers and is grateful to the assistance and support from the Chinese side during the country’s two wars for independence, Senior Lieutenant General Cung said. The Vietnamese Defence Ministry wants to see more exchanges between the two sides and further strengthen mutual understanding in the coming time, deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, he said. Sri Lankan Speaker in Quang Ninh The Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa held a meeting on July 16 with officials from the northern province of Quang Ninh and also paid a visit to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a new natural wonder. The trip was part of the Sri Lankan politician's visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. During their meeting, Do Thi Hoang, head of Quang Ninh's NA deputies, briefed Rajapaksa and his delegation on the province's economic situation, its environment and its potential. Hoang said she hoped that after his visit, the Sri Lankan guest would have a better understanding of Quang Ninh as well as Viet Nam, so both parties can promote friendly and co-operative relations between the two countries.      Hanoi youth cultivates Vietnam-Laos friendship A Hanoi Youth Union delegation left the capital on July 16 to participate in voluntary activities in Laos. For ten days, the 45-member delegation of doctors and nurses from the Vietnam Young Doctors’ Association, agricultural experts and outstanding students will carry out a series of activities in the country with the aim of strengthening the traditional friendship between the two nations. They will perform medical check-ups and give free medicine to 1,000 people. Farming knowledge and measures to prevent diseases and accidents will be shared during their stay in Laos. As part of the programme, five computers, 20 fans and school and sports equipment will be presented to teenagers in Vientiane. According to Nguyen Sy Truong, deputy head of the voluntary group, this is the 7th consecutive year the Hanoi Youth Union has organised such activities in Laos. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA