Government News 4/3 Vietnam condemns barbaric acts Vietnam condemns inhumane and barbaric acts on innocent civilians, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh in response to reporters’ inquiries regarding Vietnam ’s reaction to the self-proclaimed Islamic State’s murder of two Japanese hostages. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Japanese Government, people and families of the victims,” he said. Vietnam supports the international community’s efforts to fight terrorism and extreme violence on the basis of respecting the United Nations Charter, fundamental principles of international law, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of involved countries, and the safety of citizens, he added. Chinese Party members welcomed in Hanoi Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Vuong Dinh Hue held a reception for a Chinese delegation led by Liu Shijin, Vice Director of the Development Research Centre of the State Council, in Hanoi on February 3. Hue said the delegation’s visit to Vietnam reflects the implementation of agreements made by Vietnamese and Chinese top leaders, particularly in the context of the two countries’ diplomatic ties entering their 65th year. He also stressed the importance of the Vietnam-China ties in terms of cooperation and exchange. Vice Director Liu Shijin sent the congratulatory message of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the 85 th anniversary of the founding of the Central Party of Vietnam (CPV). He stated that his visit is part of the two parties’ agreement to enhance exchanges in ideology and practicality experience. Liu Shijin said the Chinese Government and Party hope to boost high-level exchange activities with Vietnam, especially result-oriented cooperation between the two ministries, sectors and localities. The Chinese delegation is visiting Vietnam from February 3 – 7 at the invitation of the CPV. They have thus far met with the Economic Commission to discuss solutions to elevate future collaboration. Worldwide leaders send New Year greetings to Vietnam Leaders from countries and main political parties worldwide have sent New Year greetings to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival. The well-wishers include General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee and State President Choummaly Sayasone; Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni; General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping; President of the United States Barack Obama; President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye; Cuban leader Fidel Castro; First Secretary of the Workers’ Party and First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un; Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev; Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Shinzo Abe; Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong; and President of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Zyuganov. In the greetings letters, the leaders spoke of the leading role of the Communist Party of Vietnam, its international position and reputation and treasured the relationship with the Party. They also noted the country’s reform and diplomatic achievements over the years. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong took the occasion to express thanks as well as extending the best New Year wishes to the leaders of countries, main political parties and international friends. President pays year-end visit to Lao Cai President Truong Tan Sang made a working visit to the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai where he delivered gifts to war veterans and poor people on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. Attending a ceremony to mark the 85th founding anniversary of the Party on February 3, the President hailed the province for fulfilling the tasks set for 2014. He urged the province to seize the new opportunities which are created by the completion of several key infrastructure projects recently, particularly the Hanoi-Lao Cai Highway, to stimulate economic development. The President also toured Ban Qua Commune in Bat Xat District which has made outstanding achievements in reducing poverty Vice President joins CPV’s founding anniversary in Thai Nguyen Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan attended a ceremony celebrating the 85 th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on February 3. She awarded the Independence Order and Labour Order, first, second and third class to local organisations and individuals. Later, she visited and presented gifts to revolutionary veterans in the locality. The same day, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) also celebrated the occasion. In his speech, VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi said over the past 70 years, the VNA Party Committee has directed the news sector to fulfil its role as a trustworthy and strategic information channel of the Party and State, contributing to disseminating Party and State policies and laws during the liberation war and the current development process.- Anti-smuggling efforts urged during Tet Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a dispatch urging ministries and localities to intensify counter initiatives against smuggling, trade fraud and fake commodities, especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. Deputy PM Phuc, who is also head of the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities, requested relevant agencies to strengthen their inspections at border gates, border areas and major markets and quickly work to detect and counter any violations. He asked that special attention should be devoted to goods in high demand during Tet, including ensuring the safety of beverages, confectionaries, fruits, and food. Phuc stressed the importance of coordination and sharing information among authorised agencies and localities in anti-smuggling activities, as well as enhancing anti-smuggling communications to raise public awareness and encourage the prioritisation of Vietnamese goods. Meanwhile, the Deputy PM warned of strict punishments on leaders of ministries and localities for smuggling and trade fraud detection during a working session with key leaders of the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on February 3. Quang Ninh, which shares a border with China , handled 2,514 smuggling and trade fraud cases in 2014 including criminal proceedings against 126 individuals, according to a provincial report. Over VND76 billion (US$3.6 million) worth of goods were seized during the year, it said. According to the report, as many as 915 cases of domestic trade fraud and tax evasion were uncovered, adding that nearly VND60 billion (US$2.8 million) were collected as administrative fine with VND190 billion (US$8.9 million) in reclaimed taxes. Ceremony marks 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia ties The Vietnam Embassy in Russia on February 2 organised a ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnamese-Russian diplomatic ties and welcome the New Year of the Goat. Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnam Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son highlighted the major highlights of the time-honoured friendship between the two countries over the past 65 years. The ambassador expressed his delight at the fine development of the two nation’s relationship, which was elevated to that of a comprehensive and equal strategic partnership several years ago. He applauded the Russian President for his steadfast support of broadening the strategic partnership between the two nations and affirmed that the Vietnamese people will always stand in support of their Russian friends. Mr Andray Tatarinov from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn underscored the efficiency of cooperative relations between the two nations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He expressed his hope that Vietnamese-Russian relations would continue to flourish for the benefit of the two peoples as well as for peace and stability in the region and the world. On the occasion, Chairman of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association Vladimir Buyanov presented Ambassador Son and the Vietnamese Embassy staff with the association’s insignia in special recognition of their contributions to bolster relations. Hanoi leaders visit revolutionary relic sites on Party founding anniversary A delegation of Hanoi leaders headed by Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi offered incense at the relic site House No.90 – Tho Nhuom St, where the first Party General Secretary Tran Phu wrote the political thesis, on February 3. On the occasion of the 85th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, they also visited relic House No.5D in Ham Long Street, where the first Communist Party Cell of Hanoi was set up. The same day, Politburo member and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai led a delegation to pay tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Museum and late President Ton Duc Thang at the Ton Duc Thang Museum. They also visited a photo exhibition at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The exhibition displays 122 photos and documents featuring President Ho Chi Minh – the Party’s founder – and the leadership of the President and the Party in the national liberation cause. VNA/VOV