Press digest – May 15

PM orders urgent measures to maintain security, order

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has sent an urgent notice to the Ministry of Public Security and other ministries, sectors and localities nationwide asking them to actively take firm measures to prevent and punish those who incite others to disturb law and social order.

The Prime Minister asked the authorities to ensure the security and safety for all people and enterprises as well as their properties.

The local authorities have been requested to protect businesses and their production, especially the foreign ones. They have been requested to urgently help and support the enterprises to resume business and production soon.

The leader also asked for the launch of educational campaigns to raise public awareness of abiding by the law and safeguarding national sovereignty peacefully in line with Vietnamese and international law.

No country supports China's placement of oil rig in VN's waters

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on May 15 had a meeting with voters in Hong Bang district, the Northern city of Hai Phong, during which they expressed their anger at China’s recent act of deploying a drilling rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Local voters requested that the Party, State and Government carry out effective measures to demand China immediately withdraw its rig out of Viet Nam’s waters and never again violate Viet Nam’s territorial sovereignty.

PM Dung told residents that the international community has supported Viet Nam’s legitimate viewpoint, while no country has raised its voice to back China.

VN demands China’s positive response, assures foreign nationals

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh asked for China’s serious consideration and positive response to Viet Nam’s demand after China illegally placed its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig and deployed as many as 99 vessels in Viet Nam’s waters, during his phone call to Chinese FM Wang Yi on Thursday.

Once again, Deputy PM, PM resolutely opposed China’s act and demanded China immediately withdraw the drilling rig as well as vessels from waters under Viet Nam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction.

He stressed that China’s act seriously damaged the mutual trust between the two countries as well as Vietnamese people’s sentiments, runs counter to the agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders and the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, violates international law and goes against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Viet Nam has exercised its utmost restraint and showed goodwill, dispatched Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son to Beijing to frankly talk with the Chinese side. Deputy PM, FM Minh asked for China’s serious consideration and positive response to Viet Nam’s demands.

VN circulates note to oppose China’s illegal placement of drilling rig

Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh on Thursday said that Viet Nam circulated on May 7, 2014 a note at the United Nations to oppose China’s illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 in Viet Nam’s waters.

NA Standing Committee debates gov’t socio-economic report

The National Assembly Standing Committee commenced its 28 th meeting on May 15 in Ha Noi with a debate on the government’s report on the implementation of the socio-economic and state budget plan for 2013 and the goals for 2014.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said midst the tension currently seen inside and outside the country, it is crucial to comprehensively analyse all aspects of the national socio-economic situation and review external relations.

In 2013, the country fulfilled 10 out of the 15 targets set by the NA and closed in on three more. However, it fell short of targets to keep the state budget overspending rate in line with GDP and to significantly reduce poor households, according to the report.

The Government also reported that the country saw a year-on-year GDP growth rise of 4.96% in the first quarter of this year. The consumer price index in April increased slightly by 0.88% against December last year, resulting in a year-on-year rise of 4.73% rise in the first four months of this year.

The report also pointed out some shortcoming in the country’s economic development, including poor credit quality, bad debts and the inefficient execution of the VND 30 trillion (US$1.42 billion) housing package.

Measures against summer diseases must be intensified: health ministry

The Ministry of Health has asked medical stations nationwide to intensify check-ups and treatment while preparing preventative measures against summer diseases.

In a notice issued on May 15, the ministry required health centres to actively raise public awareness of common medical issues, as hot spells of weather may result in exhaustion, respiratory difficulty, strokes and food poisoning, among other conditions.

Hospitals must ensure sufficient facilities, medicine and services, the ministry said.

The provincial and municipal health departments should also earnestly carry out the directions of the Prime Minister and the ministry to contain the spread of measles, dengue fever, and foot-hand-mouth diseases, which were reported in most of the localities across the country.

VN cited as a top 10 best value holiday destination

Viet Nam ranked 2nd among the top 10 best value holiday destinations, according to leading global travel search site Skyscanner.

The site says that despite its rise in popularity over the last few years, Vietnam is still super cheap, and a beautiful country to visit. Visitors can easily get by on £5 a day, which includes a guesthouse, local food, transport and a bit of drinking.

Rounding out the list of top 10 travel destinations are Cambodia, India, Bolivia, Hungary, Honduras, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, Argentina, and Greece.

Tra Bong cinnamon recognised as Asian specialty gift

A ceremony was held on May 14 in Tra Bong commune, Quang Ngai province, to officially announce the recognition of Tra Bong as a ‘Specialty gift of Asia’ by the Asian Record Organisation.

The product is appreciated for its potency and aroma and can be used for cooking or to make fine arts products.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Director Nguyen Phuc Nhan of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the honour represents a chance for Quang Ngai to advertise Tra Bong cinnamon as a local speciality and to promote Quang Ngai’s land and people to the world.

(Source: VGP/VNA/VOV/Nhandan)