Press digest – January 12

VN, China hold high-level talks

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation landed at the Beijing International Airport on January 12, beginning an official visit to China at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping. 

An official welcoming ceremony for Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and the Vietnamese delegation was held at the People’s Great Hall. 

Following the welcome ceremony, the two leaders held talks on ways to strengthen bilateral relationship between the two Parties and countries in the near future. 

On that day, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 15 cooperative agreements between Viet Nam and China.

Taking place at a time when the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 67th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and welcome their traditional Lunar New Year, the visit is of great importance as it aims to set out healthy and long-term development directions for bilateral ties.

Indian TATA Group has sizable investment in Viet Nam

President Tran Dai Quang has praised the TATA Group CEO in Viet Nam for his contributions to expanded investment in Viet Nam at a reception for CEO Indronil Sengupta in Ha Noi on January 12.

President Quang welcomed TATA’s expansion of its business in Viet Nam, especially the Long Phu II thermal power plant in Soc Trang province. 

He expected this will open new energy cooperation projects between India and VietNam. 

U.S. investment fund plans to expand investment in VN

The Harbinger Capital Partners LLC of the US is destined to expand investment in Viet Nam,President of the U.S. investment fund Philip Falcone told Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at their meeting in Ha Noi on January 12.

Philip Falconee said Harbinger will encourage US investors to take heed to the Southeast Asian market aiming to enhance the two countries’ economic-trade-investment collaboration.

He said he hopes the Vietnamese government will create the best possible conditions for US businesses, including Harbinger, to run long-term and stable investment in the country. 

PM approves national strategy for prevention of blindness

The PM has approved a national strategy for the prevention of blindness until 2020, with a vision to 2030.

The strategy aims to enhance people’s access to the services of prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation of the eye function; reduce the rate of diseases causing avoidable blindness; and eliminate the main causes of blindness for all people.

The figures are expected at below 4 individuals per 1,000, over 3.5 individuals per 1,000 and over 75% by 2030.

VN continues comprehensive and in-depth international integration

Viet Nam’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has briefed the press on Viet Nam’s foreign relations achievements last year and major activities for this year.

He cited several major events hosted by VietNam in 2016, including the 7th ACMECS, 8th CLMV meeting to boost cooperation among Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Vietnam was elected for the first time to serve on the UN’s Law Committee last year. 

He reiterated Viet Nam’s unwavering policy of promoting comprehensive and in-depth international integration and becoming an attractive investment and tourism destination. 

Viet Nam’s hosting of the APEC Year this year will be the top external event in 2017, he added.

VN-India Culture Week opens in HCM City

The Viet Nam-India Cultural Week is taking place at Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the  45th anniversary of the Vietnam-India diplomatic ties and 10 years of bilateral strategic partnership.

Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Smita Pant noted that Vietnamese and Indian people have set up their friendship and trade relations for thousands years, overcoming geographic distance to reinforce the sound brotherhood.

She reviewed bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, culture, science and technology over the past years, as well as partnership in human resource development which contributes to the socio-economic growth of both countries.

Belarus to apply visa-free entry for VN

Belarus will allow visa-free entry for citizens from 80 countries, including Viet Nam, for visits of up to five days through Minsk National Airport.

Visa-free entry will apply to citizens of 39 European states, including all EU countries, as well as to Brazil, Indonesia, U.S., Japan and other states

Citizens of Viet Nam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa must also have a valid multiple visa to any EU member state or Schengen country with a mark about the entry into their territory, as well as tickets confirming leave from Minsk National airport within 5 days from the date of entry.

The decree will come into force one month after its official publication.

                                                                                                                                    By Ngoc Van