Press digest – June 4

PM inspects biggest fisheries resources surveillance vessel

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on June 4 in the northern province of Quang Ninh inspected Viet Nam’s largest fisheries resources surveillance vessel KN-781 which will be delivered this month. 

Vessel KN-781, which is equipped with a helicopter landing platform, was built by the Ha Long Shipbuilding Company.

PM Dung suggested the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation work closely with competent agencies and fishermen to build steel-made fishing vessels.

NA deputies continue discussing revised laws

National Assembly (NA) deputies discussed a number of draft revisions to the Law on Civil Aviation.

They focused on the role and missions of aviation authorities, aviation inspection and the management of flying activities.

During the day, they also heard government’s proposals and NA bodies’ verification reports on the bills on Citizen Identification and Civil Status, as well as draft amendments to the Laws on Investment, Vietnamese Nationality, Vietnam People’s Army Officers and People’s Public Security.

Deputy defence minister welcomes US guest

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a reception for Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Kelly Magsamen in Hanoi on June 4.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Vinh noted that the relations between VietNam and the US have seen fine developments in recent years, with the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The bilateral defence ties, in particular, have witnessed new progress in co-operation in training personnel, sharing experience in humanitarian operations and response to natural disasters, as well as in ensuring security and safety of navigation, he said.

The US official suggested the two sides enhance information sharing and high-level military delegation exchanges while actively implementing the memorandum of understanding on defence co-operation, as well as strengthening efforts to address war consequences in Viet Nam.

Chinese ships continue hindering Viet Nam’s vessels with violence

A large number of Chinese ships continue violently defending the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, which is illegally placed in Viet Nam’s waters, by ramming and firing high-pressure water cannon at Vietnamese law enforcement ships, reported the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

The department told the press on June 4 afternoon that China maintained 35-40 coast guard vessels, about 30 cargo ships and tugboats, 40-45 fishing vessels and four military ships at the site, along with a renaissance aircraft.

Chinese vessels kept on hindering Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance ships and driving them about 7-9 nautical miles away from the rig, it said.

UNESCO Vietnam Union opposes China’s illegal act

The Viet Nam Union of UNESCO Associations issued a statement on June 4, vehemently opposing China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 in Viet Nam’s territorial waters. 

The statement said, in addition China's strong fleet of over 130 armed vessels, military ships and aircraft deployed in Viet Nam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone have aggressively fired high-pressure water cannons at and intentionally rammed into Vietnamese law enforcement and civil vessels, causing damage and injuring many people on board.

On May 26, a Chinese ship sank a Vietnamese fishing vessel while it was carrying out its usual operations. 

The UNESCO body described China’s acts as a particularly serious violation of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNESCO) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to which China is a signatory.

US, Sweden support Thua Thien-Hue children

The US Aid to Children without Parents organisation will give nearly US$ 560 million (US$ 26,320) to a one-year project targeting poor children in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Implemented from now in Quang Dien and Phu Vang districts and Huong Tra town, the project will provide free check-ups and hepatitis B vaccinations for 600 children and perform surgery for 15 disabled children.

The province has also received a non-refundable project worth VND 2.9 billion (US$ 136,300) funded by Sweden ’s Adoptions Centrum, which will help strengthen the self-reliance of women and girls in rural and mountainous areas.

VN-Singapore Business Forum opens

The 2014 Viet Nam-Singapore Business Forum kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on June 4, providing updated information for the two countries’ enterprises.

The Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Doan Duy Khuong, said that the annual event has contributed to further deepening the bilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Singapore, as well as connecting more businesses.

Activities held to keep environment green

A series of activities has been launched in Quang Tri province to safeguard the country’s sea and islands, protect the environment and tackle climate change in response to the Week on Vietnam’s Sea and Islands and the World Environment Day.

At a meeting held on June 4 in Vinh Linh district, the local women’s union presented VND 150 million (US$7,000) to the ‘For the Beloved East Sea’ fund to support fishermen’s work in their traditional fishing ground.

After the event, more than 150 students from the district joined a cycling parade to call on people to protect the environment.

VN launches first foreign-based tourism office

A tourism office representing Vietnamese travel agents was officially opened in Tokyo on June 4 by the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA). 

The facility, the first of its kind overseas, is responsible for keeping the Japanese and Northeast Asian markets informed with up-to-date, official information about Vietnamese tourism, implementing promotional campaigns, and providing information on tourism development and investment policies in Viet Nam to Japanese enterprises.

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA/Nhan dan)