Government News 7/2 PM lauds Chinese Ambassador’s contributions to bilateral ties   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed contributions made by Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong to the bilateral relations while bidding farewell to the outgoing diplomat on February 6. Phuc expressed his delight at developments in the ties, with economic and trade cooperation remaining a bright spot. China continues to be Vietnam’s biggest trade partner, while Vietnam has become China’s largest trader in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Two-way trade rose from 58.78 billion USD in 2014 to 93.69 billion USD in 2017. China ranks eighth among 125 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. It also tops the list of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam, while Vietnam also ranks first in ASEAN in terms of the number of tourists to China. The leader affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and Government always attach importance to its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China. He suggested both sides continue implementing common perceptions of their senior leaders; strengthen political trust through high-level meetings; carry out three working groups on infrastructure, finance and monetary, and discuss win-win cooperation at sea; and well control disagreements and maintain peace and stability at sea in order to develop the Vietnam-China relations in a stable, healthy and sustainable manner. Ambassador Hong said he was impressed by Vietnam’s strong socio-economic development as well as important progress in the two countries’ partnership. He affirmed that in any positions, he will always pay attention to boosting the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to bring it to the next level. PM urges stronger multifaceted cooperation with Netherlands   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) ​and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag.   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called on the Netherlands to continue support and cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of husbandry, cultivation, food safety, post-harvest network and market development.  While receiving Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag in Hanoi on February 6, PM Phuc said Vietnam is impressed with achievements the Netherlands has recorded in building irrigation works, seaports, high-tech agriculture and especially in adaptation with climate change.  Thanks to experience shared by the Netherlands, Vietnam successfully organised a major conference on climate change response in the Mekong Delta region, with the attendance of the Deputy Delta Commissioner of the Netherlands and other experts in this field, he said.  The PM praised the Netherlands as one of Asia’s leading trade partners, noting that Dutch businesses have invested nearly 8 billion USD in Vietnam.  He urged the Government of the Netherlands to encourage Dutch firms to increase investments in Vietnam in various realms, particularly in climate change response and renewable energy.  Vietnam is reforming itself strongly and improving its business environment which has been recognised by the international community, he said, adding that the country is integrating deeply into the global economy as reflected through its successful hosting of large-scale international events with the most noteworthy being the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2017.  In that spirit, PM Phuc called on the two nations to further implement the strategic partnership through specific activities such as updating the Mekong Delta Action Plan by building a concrete planning scheme for the region; rolling out orientations for regional livelihood restructuring and building regional connectivity; stepping up cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi of Vietnam and Rotterdam of the Netherlands, as well as collaboration in personnel training in the environmental sector.  For her part, Kaag expressed her delight when seeing the two countries actively preparing for activities to mark the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.  The minister believed that the Governments and people of the Netherlands and Vietnam will tighten cooperation and accompany with each other in development, looking towards another period of 45 years for their peace and prosperity.  Kaag said she was being accompanied by representatives of major Dutch businesses who want to study the Vietnamese market and seek investment and cooperation opportunities in Vietnam in not only traditional spheres like climate change and high-tech agriculture but also in seaport management, technological development and start-up.  With its strengths, the Netherlands is willing to join hands with Vietnam in agriculture, seaport development and logistics, thus helping generate jobs, spur the country’s economic growth and improve living conditions of local people, she said.  The Netherlands always stands ready to partner with Vietnam in developing the Mekong Delta in the face of climate change, she said, stressing that through such cooperative activities, the two sides will target higher efficiency of the implementation of the millennium development goals (MDGs).  The Netherlands is also willing to share its knowledge and experience with Vietnam and work together with the country during its development process, she emphasized.  In reply, PM Phuc said he will instruct relevant agencies to study, propose and carry out these cooperative activities, covering water resources management.  He expressed his hope that Kaag’s visit will create a landmark in promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries more effectively, on par with the strategic partnership on climate change and water resources management, and the strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security.- Vietnamese ambassador works to promote ties with Russia   At the meeting   Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh had a meeting with representatives of social organisations and friendship associations at the Vietnamese Embassy on February 6 to seek to bolster the friendship between the two countries.  The meeting brought together Russian war invalids, military experts and technicians who accompanied Vietnamese people and army during wartime, contributing to national reunification.  Although they are retired, the Russian friends still have kept a close watch on Vietnam’s development, and contributed, in their own capacity, to consolidating the bilateral friendship.  Addressing the function, Ambassador Manh thanked the Russian friends’ support for Vietnam, considering their sentiments a valuable asset of the two counties.  Vietnam and Russia boast a lot of opportunities to step up their cooperation, especially in economy, Manh said, expressing his hope that during his term, he could have opportunities to advance the relationship across fields, helping to fulfill the bilateral trade goal of 10 billion USD in 2020.  The diplomat is scheduled to have working sessions with representatives from scientific, economic, political and press circles of Russia in the next few days. Vietnam learns about latest technologies at Asia's biggest airshow    Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Pham Ngoc Minh and a Vietnamese delegation are present at the Singapore Airshow 2018 – Asia's largest aerospace and defence event, to learn about the latest technologies in the field, especially patrol aircraft. Opening on February 6, the 6-day biennial event is showcasing advanced aviation technologies, many of which meet Vietnam’s demand, particularly for medium cargo aircraft such as the CASA C-212 Aviocar and DHC-6 Twin Otter models. As part of their attendance in the show, the Vietnamese delegation met representatives from the aerospace products seller Hawker Pacific.  Senior Lieutenant General Minh told the company about Vietnam’s interest in aircraft components, pilots’ training, and sea patrol aircraft.  Hawker Pacific said it will help Vietnam improve local pilots’ capacity and set up a centre for aircraft maintenance services in Vietnam with a view to transferring the technology to the country. The Airshow’s first four days is expected to welcome over 1,060 companies from 50 countries and territories, who are seeking partnerships in civilian and military aviation. It will open to public attendance on the last two days, with the management board expecting at least 130,000 visits.  Experts said in the next two decades, demand for airplanes in Asia – Pacific will be higher than in anywhere else in the world. During the period, the region is estimated to need over 14,000 airplanes, whose total value exceeds 2 trillion USD. PM meets Vietnamese contributors to Cambodian revolution   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) and Vietnamese experts who helped Cambodia fight against the Pol Pot genocide regime  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 6 received the former liaison team of Vietnamese experts, who helped Cambodia fight against the Pol Pot genocide regime. Speaking at the meeting with 22 team members, Phuc said Vietnam’s assistance to the Cambodians at that time was a milestone in the country’s history and was highly appreciated by the Cambodian Party, Government and army.  “Vietnam’s assistance to Cambodia is impartial, pure, and responsible,” he affirmed.  Vietnam helped Cambodian people escape from the genocide regime and sent thousands of experts to help the neighbor revive their country, he stated. On behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, Phuc praised contributions of the former experts to Vietnam – Cambodia ties in the past and the current time, expecting them to further their good work in the future.  He said despite their old ages, the former experts have continued to get involved in various practical activities in the community. The PM tasked the Government Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs with proposing ways to honour the former Vietnamese experts who served in Cambodia. He informed his guests on robust growth of relations between the two countries, with regular exchanges of high-ranking officials taking place. The sides have worked closely in planting border markers and are planning to raise bilateral trade to 5 billion USD ahead of 2020, the leader said. For their part, the experts expressed their expectation that the Party and Government will continue working with their Cambodian counterparts in reinforcing bilateral ties and educating the younger generation on mutual support shared between the two countries.  Friendship get-together celebrates Lunar New Year   Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and delegates to the get-togther  The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organisation Affairs (COMINGO) co-hosted a get-together in Hanoi on February 6 to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet). Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh stressed that in 2017, Vietnam recorded proud achievements in all fields from socio-economic development, security, defence to external affairs, especially the successful hosting of the APEC Year 2017 and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang, which was highly evaluated by the international community. These achievements were made partly thanks to the support and assistance from diplomatic corps and foreign non-governmental organisations, she said. Thinh congratulated VUFO and COMINGO on their performances in 2017, saying that these successes would strengthen and develop friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and other countries around the world. VUFO Vice President and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong told participants that last year, the Vietnamese people received support, assistance and effective cooperation from the international community, nations, international and regional organisations and foreign non-governmental organisations. The amount of foreign non-governmental aid reached 280 million USD, contributing to the country’s poverty reduction and socio-economic development, especially in the fields of health, education, settlement of social issues, environmental protection, emergency relief, response to climate change and overcoming war consequences, he noted. Hanoi leader extends New Year wishes to Buddhists   Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai presents Tet gifts to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (Source: hanoimoi.com.vn)  Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai extended his New Year wishes to Buddhist dignitaries and followers nationwide when paying a Tet visit to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) at Quan Su pagoda on February 6. He hailed the success of the VBS’s eighth congress in late 2017 and activities conducted by the VBS and its chapters, particularly those to reduce poverty. He reported that the capital city gained numerous achievements last year with all 20 set target fulfilled, saying these results were partly contributed by Buddhist dignitaries and followers in the locality. Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, standing Vice Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council, said that Buddhist dignitaries and followers always exert efforts to further develop the city. Over the past five years, the VBS has collected and used over 6 trillion VND (264 million USD) for charitable activities and supported disadvantaged people nationwide. Lao media highlight Vietnam-Laos intergovernmental meeting’s outcomes   An overview of  the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee The media in Laos on February 6 ran a series of articles highlighting the success of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, underlining that the results will make significant contributions to the promotion of the bilateral special friendship and comprehensive partnership. Major newspapers of Laos, including “Pathet Lao” (the nation of Laos), “Pasaxon” (People), “Laophatthana” (Laos development), Setthakit Kankha (economy-trade), and Vientiane Times, noted that at the meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, the two sides lauded the cooperation outcomes between the two countries in 2017. The papers mentioned the success of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017, and the 13.6 percent growth of two-way trade, higher than the target of 10 percent. In 2017, the two countries realized bilateral agreements efficiently, the leaders noted in the meeting, adding that affiliation in politics, external relations, defence, security, economy, culture, society, and people-to-people exchange was also expanded. Currently, Vietnam is hosting over 14,000 Lao students. Vietnam is currently the third largest foreign investor in Laos with 411 projects worth about 3.7 billion USD in Laos, 43 percent of which, or 1.6 billion USD, have been disbursed.  Along with detailing the discussion content of the meeting, the articles specified 12 cooperation deals signed during the event. Pathet Lao, run by the Laos news agency, underscored that the deal between the Vietnamese and Lao governments on investment cooperation to develop Vung Ang port is the most important agreement as it allows Laos, a landlocked country, to access sea trade routes. It commented that the deals will help strengthen and expand partnership between the two countries. The newspaper also quoted the Lao PM as saying that at the joint press conference with PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc following the meeting he highly values the outcomes of Vietnamese projects in Laos and pledged to create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese investors. Along with the printed newspapers, many other media agencies such as the national television and radio also gave much space reporting the results of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee. President awards Fatherland Defence Order to guard force   President Tran Dai Quang presents a Fatherland Defence Order, Third Class, to the People’s Public Security Guard High Command on February 6.   President Tran Dai Quang presented a Fatherland Defence Order, Third Class, to the People’s Public Security Guard High Command during a ceremony on February 6 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the force’s establishment (February 16, 1953). In his remarks at the event, President Tran Dai Quang lauded efforts and achievements of the guard force over the past 65 years. The country’s new era comes with not only many opportunities but also challenges, putting the public security forces, including the guard force, under greater pressure to ensure social order and security, the president said. He urged the guard force, together with other forces under the Ministry of Public Security, to continue effectively enforcing the Party and the State’s policies in protecting national security, improving fighting capacity and ensuring the safety of senior officials, international events and foreign guests. He also asked them to enhance the efficiency of their operations and take steps to prevent any acts of sabotage, terrorism, crimes and anti-State movements. The guard force, previously known as the Guard Bureau, was founded on February 16, 1953 to protect President Ho Chi Minh and high-ranking officials during the anti-French resistance war. Get-together marks 45 years of Vietnam-Australia ties   Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Van Manh at the get-together to mark 45 years of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations.   A get-together was held by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations and the municipal chapter of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association on February 6 to celebrate Australia Day (January 26) and 45 years of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations (February 26). Congratulating Australia on its national day, Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations, said that the country has confirmed its position in the international arena thanks to its impressive development illustrated through high income per capita, modern infrastructure and advanced education system. He noted that since Vietnam and Australia established their diplomatic ties 45 years ago and especially the comprehensive partnership relations in 2009, both sides have spared no efforts to strengthen relations in various fields. They are cooperating in the fields of Australia’s strengths and Vietnam’s interests like development aid, education-training, infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, he said, highlighting that the Australian people in Vietnam have made significant contributions to developing multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. Currently, the two nations are enjoying sound bilateral trade with average annual growth standing at 12.5 percent and trade value hitting over 9 billion USD in 2017. Australia has landed 378 projects valued at 1.7 billion USD in Vietnam, focusing on industry and construction, services, education, processing industry and agro-forestry-fisheries sector, Manh said. Karen Lanyon, Australian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City affirmed that Vietnam is one of the most important partners of Australia in Asia-Pacific. Their long-standing history of the successful trade and cooperation will help both sides create more trade opportunities in the coming time, she added. The bilateral ties have been consolidated thanks to increasing number of tourists travelling between the two countries, she said, citing over 320,000 Australian arrivals to Vietnam in 2017. Praising the Vietnamese community in Australia, she said they play an important role in fostering bilateral relations. Vietnam National Assembly presents gift to Cambodian Senate   President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Say Chhum (R) receives Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh  The National Assembly of Vietnam has presented the Cambodian Senate with computers, printers, and photocopiers worth over 140,000 USD. Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh handed over the gift to President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Say Chhum in Phnom Penh on February 6. On the occasion, the Cambodian Senate President spoke highly of the cooperation achievements between the two countries’ Parties and States over the past time and expressed his pleasure over the sound traditional friendship that brings enormous benefits for the two people. He took this occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for helping Cambodian people escape from the Pol Pot genocide regime and revive the country. The close ties and active cooperation between the two governments and peoples not only contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the respective nations but also in the region and around the world, he said. Earlier on February 5, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin recieved the Vietnamese Ambassador, during which he called on the two countries’ people to promote the bilateral traditional friendship and cooperation in various fields. Speaking at the meetings, Ambassador Minh extended the greetings of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to the Cambodian top legislators. He pledged to do his utmost in his working tenure to nurture the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia. The equipment presented by the Vietnamese NA will be used for senators elected for the new term of the Cambodian Senate during this month’s election. VNN