Weekly digest – July 3-10

Party Central Committee scrutinizes working regulations

Draft working regulations of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee (CPVCC), the Politburo, the Secretariat and the CPVCC’s Inspection Commission were mulled over  the 12th Party Central Committee’s third meeting, from July 4-7, under the chair of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Party Central Committee members also discussed proposals on candidates for top positions at State agencies to be submitted to the new National Assembly’s first session.

At the current plenum, the Party Central Committee focused on the candidates for the remaining 13 positions that were not introduced at the previous plenum.

PM asks for faster ODA disbursement

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc called for drastic measures to be taken to disburse public investment capital on schedule, especially those sourced from State budget, Government bonds, and ODA in favor of the fulfillment of the 2016 socio-economic development plan.  

Addressing the meeting, PM Phuc tasked every ministry and sector to review responsibilities of staff in charge; impose tough punishments on cases of late capital disbursement and replace poor-performing bidders.

He also asked for the quick drafting of the Government’s Resolution on acceleration of public investment disbursement in 2016.  

VN, Thailand coordinate to maintain ASEAN solidarity

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh has asked for Thailand’s close coordination to ensure solidarity and maintain ASEAN’s common viewpoint on the regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue.

During his talks with visiting Thai FM Don Pramudwinai in Ha Noi on July 8, Deputy PM and FM Minh warmly welcomed and appreciated the guest’s first visit to Viet Nam in his position as the bilateral strategic partnership is growing finely and two countries are celebrating the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (August 6, 1976-2016).

The Vietnamese Deputy PM asked Thailand to promote its role and coordination in facilitating settlement of disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means in accordance with the widely recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); and calling on parties to fully comply with legal and diplomatic processes, strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and accelerate the building of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

VN to host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019

The PM has approved the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s plan to host the 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) as mentioned in Dispatch No. 5492/VPCP-QHQT dated July 5, 2016.

The ministry has been assigned to build a detailed scheme for the event and submit it to the PM in line with Decision No. 76/2010/QĐ-TTg dated November 30, 2010 on organization and management of international conferences and workshops in Viet Nam.

The ATF is an important activity of the largest scale in the framework of ASEAN tourism cooperation.

VN opposes China’s military drill in East Sea

China’s plan to carry out military exercises in an area that covers Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) in the East Sea has once again seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh on July 4. 

He made the statement while fielding reporters’ queries over the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration’s announcement on July 3 of a drill, which is scheduled to take place between July 5 and 11, with its scale covering the Vietnamese archipelago. 

Binh said the action runs counter to common perception of senior leaders from both countries, and defies international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

VN looks for PCA fair decision

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh affirmed Viet Nam’s consistent position to address disputes in the Eats Sea through peaceful measures based on international law.

Viet Nam also backs the full implementation of all the regulations and procedures of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Mr. Binh said made the remarks on July 1 while responding to queries from reporters about the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s final decision expected on July 12.

By Thuy Dung