Political News Headlines 14/5 Transport ministry visits coast guard Transport ministry representatives on May 13 presented gifts to fisheries surveillance and Vietnamese coast guard forces in Hanoi as an encouragement for their officers to safeguard national sovereignty in the East Sea. After being informed of the latest development surrounding China’s illegal deployment of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 and escort ships in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, they promised to launch more fund-raising campaigns in support of officers at sea. Vice Political Commissar of the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command, Maj. Gen. Hoang Van Dong said the coast guards always stand firm no matter how hard their situation. On May 2, China stationed the rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and 119 nautical miles from Vietnam’s Ly Son Island. China has so far deployed 86 vessels of various kinds to the area, including military, coast guard, marine surveillance, marine patrol and fisheries ships. The provocative acts by China, including the ramming and firing of water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard ships during their law enforcement missions in the country’s waters have left many Vietnamese ships damaged and nine fisheries surveillance officers injured. Fisheries Society calls on fishermen to continue to go offshore The Vietnam Fisheries Society has called on fishery associations and fishermen to continue to go offshore and cooperate with law enforcement force in protest against China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty. The society said that China’s deployment of a drilling oil rig Ocean 981 in Vietnam’s economic exclusive zone and continental shelf was illegal and runs counter to international law and is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty. China’s violations have detrimentally affected and hindered normal activities of Vietnam’s fishery associations and fishermen. Vietnam has sufficient historic and legal basis to assert its sovereign over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos and sovereign rights over its economic exclusive zone and continental shelf according to provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The society strongly condemned China’s illegal acts and requested China withdraw its giant drilling rig Ocean-981 and escort vessels from Vietnamese waters. Party Central Committee discusses draft reports Continuing its ninth conference, the Party Central Committee convened a plenary session in Hanoi on May 13 under the chair of its Secretariat’s permanent member Le Hong Anh. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who is also a Politburo member and head of the Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Affairs preparing for the next Party Congress, delivered a report on the draft socio-economic development scheme for the 2016-2020 period. Head of the Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education Dinh The Huynh, who is also a Politburo member, Secretary of the Committee and permanent deputy head of the Sub-Committee on Documentation gave a full account of a draft political report to be presented at the coming Congress. Attendees discussed the two reports in groups throughout the day. Vietnam boosts anti-terrorism work with Cambodia Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh has said Vietnam is willing to cooperate with Cambodia in terrorism prevention through experience exchanges and joint drills. At a reception for General Hun Manet, commander of Cambodia’s National Counter-Terrorism Special Forces, in Hanoi on May 13, he underlined the time-tested relations between the two countries, while speaking highly of their increasingly effective defence cooperation. He noted that both sides have made regular exchanges of high-ranking delegations and worked closely to build a peaceful and friendly border. In response, General Manet expressed his hope that the Vietnamese army and anti-terrorism forces will continue to share experience and coordinate with Cambodia in training personnel in the field. NA Standing Committee to convene 28th meeting The National Assembly Standing Committee will convene its 28th meeting in Hanoi from May 15-17 to prepare for the upcoming seventh session of the 13th National Assembly. The committee members will comment on the Government’s supplementary report on the implementation of the 2013 socio-economic development and State budget plan. They will look at the country’s socio-economic performance in the first months of the year and preparations for the upcoming seventh session of the 13th National Assembly. They will hear reports on the execution of policies and laws pertaining to poverty reduction in 2005-2012 and the socio-economic efficiency and security protection of Tan Rai and Nhan Co bauxite projects invested by the Vietnam Coal and Minerals Group. Regarding the law-building work, they will give opinions to the National Assembly Organisation Law (revised), supplements and amendments to article 2, clause 13 of the Vietnam Nationality Law, and the Pharmacy Law. Party Central Committee discusses draft reports Continuing its ninth conference, the Party Central Committee convened a plenary session in Hanoi on May 13 under the chair of its Secretariat’s permanent member Le Hong Anh. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who is also a Politburo member and head of the Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Affairs preparing for the next Party Congress, delivered a report on the draft socio-economic development scheme for the 2016-2020 period. Head of the Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education Dinh The Huynh, who is also a Politburo member, Secretary of the Committee and permanent deputy head of the Sub-Committee on Documentation gave a full account of a draft political report to be presented at the coming Congress. Attendees discussed the two reports in groups throughout the day. Vietnam, Japan boost cooperation in social affairs Vietnam and Japan will step up cooperation in wage policy, labour relations, vocational training, social and unemployment insurance, and social welfares for the elderly. To this effect, an agreement was signed between visiting Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hoa and Japanese Minister of Health and Labour Tamura Norihisa in Tokyo on May 13. At the signing ceremony, Tamura highlighted the developing relationship between Vietnam and Japan, saying that the agreement is significant for fostering bilateral ties as well as collaborations between the two ministries. He said his ministry will closely cooperate with other Japanese agencies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to promote affiliation with the Vietnamese side. Deputy Minister Hoa expressed his wish that the two ministries will have specific projects to realise this agreement. The official suggested the Japanese side support Vietnam in perfecting its institutional and legal system, with amendments to the Labour Law and the Law on Food Safety and Hygiene as priorities. Hoa called on Japanese agencies to increase the number of Vietnamese apprentices, orderlies and nurses working in the country. Tamura affirmed that Japan is ready to help Vietnam perfect its legal framework and spoke highly of the quality of Vietnamese orderlies and nurses. He also expressed his hope to continue receiving and training others from Vietnam. VFF President calls on Buddhists to look towards East Sea Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee President Nguyen Thien Nhan has sent a letter to the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) on Lord Buddha’s 2558th birthday, calling on Buddhists nationwide to turn their heart towards the East Sea. At a grand ceremony to mark Lord Buddha’s 2558th birthday in Hanoi on May 13, the VBS Supreme Patriarch also conveyed a message about peace in the East Sea. In his speech, VBS Executive Council Deputy Chairman Most Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem said in the new era, Buddhism has developed considerably around the world and Vietnamese Buddhism has also seen positive developments. The VBS’ prestige has earned increasingly domestic and international acclaim. “The VBS will expand its influence on remote, border and island areas, especially overseas Vietnamese Buddhist followers living in abroad.” Most Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem said. In his letter sent to the VBS and Buddhists across from the nation, VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan also congratulated the VBS on its successful organization of the UN Day of Vesak 2014. He also called on Buddhist clergies throughout the country to reinforce solidarity, uphold religious tradition and stand side by side with the people in combined efforts to demand China stop infringing on Vietnam’s territorial waters and violating its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago as well as its sovereign right and jurisdiction over the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The letter also requested China to immediately withdraw its giant oil rig Ocean-981 and escort military vehicles from waters belonging to Vietnam’s sovereignty. The same day, Buddhists also heard a message about peace in the East Sea from the VBS Supreme Patriarch. The message said during the time of the UN Day of Vesak 2014 celebration at Bai Dinh Pagoda, northern Ninh Binh province, while Buddhists from 95 countries and territories were discussing peace building, China stationed drilling rig Ocean-981 and deployed escort vessels in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. From China’s actions in the East Sea, many countries including Vietnam are on the verge of being threatened by the expansion of large countries. In the peace-loving spirit, the VBS Patriarch called on the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) to support justice and the Chinese Government to properly implement its commitments in accordance with international law. VBS Executive Council Deputy Chairman Venerable Thich Gia Quang said this message is sent to all Buddhist worldwide including the BAC. It asked the BAC, by its actions, to ask the Chinese government to pull its drilling rig Ocean-981out of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea. President praises Ha Giang for learning after President Ho Chi Minh The northernmost mountainous province of Ha Giang has created positive changes in social and economic fields, and the credit goes to the local Party committee and residents. Making the remark while receiving 70 role models from the province in Hanoi on May 13, President Truong Tan Sang also expressed his hope that the province will further strive to raise the level of the people’s knowledge, boost the technology transfer, push up the building of the new-model rural area, and consolidate the people’s trust on the leadership of the Party and the management of the State. He also said the province should bring into full play its tradition and popularise the models so as to obtain more achievements. Representatives of the province, who are prominent in learning after President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example, asked the Party and the State to continue paying attention to Ha Giang to help it alleviate poverty and improve the material and spiritual life of locals in a rapid and sustainable way. They also pledged to strive more in their study, solidarity, production and working after the late President. Source: VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA