Weekly digest – December 28- January 3

PM talks official formulation of ASEAN Community

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has hailed the formation of the ASEAN Community as a historic milestone in the regional connectivity process in Southeast Asia in his televised speech welcoming the establishment of the ASEAN Community on December 31.

Gov’t convenes December meeting

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on Monday presided over a videoconference to review socio-economic performance in 2015 and discuss ways to realize socio-economic development tasks for 2016.

Cabinet members and leaders of all provinces and cities joined the event.

The Prime Minister has urged ministries, sectors and localities to do their best to fulfill the targets set for 2016. 

He stressed the need to thoroughly analyse the 2015 socio-economic performance results as foundations for figuring out appropriate measures to realise the 2016 socio-economic objectives, which will be set by the upcoming National Party Congress and the National Assembly.

Gov’t figures out Top 9 key tasks for 2016

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 28 presented a Government’s draft Resolution on key tasks and measures guiding the realization of the Plan for socio-economic development and state budget estimate in 2016.

The draft Resolution points out nine groups of tasks and solutions.

VN resolutely protests China’s flights to Fiery Cross Reef

Viet Nam resolutely protests China’s flights to the airfield illegally built by China on Viet Nam’s Fiery Cross Reef, Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on January 2.

Vietnamese competent agencies have reported that China on Saturday conducted a trial flying to the Fiery Cross Reef which is part of Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago.

Viet Nam demands China immediately stop such deed and take practical actions to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, Mr. Binh said.

Flag raising ceremony marks historic day of ASEAN Community

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday held an ASEAN flag raising ceremony to mark the official establishment of the ASEAN Community after 48 years since its inception.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh said December 31, 2015 is the historic day of all ASEAN member States as that the dream of a harmonious Community of Southeast Asian people has finally come true.

He expressed his belief that ASEAN will fulfill the set goals and successfully build up a peaceful, stable, self-reliant, and intensively integrated community which can effectively cope with challenge and be a constructive player in the global community.

Chinese, Vietnamese Defense Ministers hold phone talks

Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh and his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan talked over the phone on December 31 on the occasion of the establishment of a direct communication line between the two ministries, the New Year 2016 and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The two ministers agreed to boost military cooperation in the future, including the exchanges of delegations at all levels and implementation of the signed agreements, contributing to the development of the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a healthy and stable manner.

VN attaches importance to relations with China

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh on December 29 hosted a reception for Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Lin Yi and the two countries’ delegates attending the seventh Viet Nam-China People’s Forum.

He proposed the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) continue to organize exchange activities to make contribution to enhance the traditional relationship, promote cooperative areas, control differences and maintain peace and stability on the East Sea for the sake of the two nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership relations.

Bien Hoa city becomes Grade-1 urban center

The PM has recognized Bien Hoa city as the Grade-1 urban center (provincially run urban center) of the Southern province of Dong Nai.

Under the current regulations, a provincially run urban center functions as a domestic economic, cultural, scientific-technical, administrative, education-training, tourist and service center and traffic and exchange hub with the role of promoting socio-economic development of one or more than one inter-provincial territory.

(Source: VNA/VGP)

By Thuy Dung