Nuanced debate over religion continues despite call for Vietnam sanctions

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 14:57

(This article appeared in The Hill, Dec ,2010)

US senators condemn China’s actions in East Sea

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 13:46

(VNA) Two United States senators on June 13 introduced a resolution condemning the repeated use of force by China in the East Sea on May 26 and June 9 and causing damage to Vietnamese exploration ships operating within Vietnam ’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Senators Jim Webb and James Inhofe are chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, respectively.

China told to stop harassing Vietnam’s ships

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 13:23

(VNA) Vietnam strongly opposed China’s acts on June 9 in harassing a ship conducting seismic surveys in Vietnam’s territorial waters in the East Sea and asked the Chinese side to stop repeating violations.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga made the protest at a regular press conference in Hanoi on June 9.

VN attends eighth ASEAN security conference

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 13:22

(VNA) Deputy Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh joined senior defence officials from 22 other ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member countries at the eighth ARF Security Policy Conference in Indonesia, on June 8.

The conference focused discussions on international and regional issues and the coordination between ARF and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) to avoid conflicts in regional efforts and cooperation to ensure food and energy security in ARF member countries.

PM calls for national resolve to defend sea and islands

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 09:29

(VNA) The Prime Minister has asked ministries, branches and localities to continue demonstrating great determination of the entire Party, people and army to defend Vietnam’s sovereignty, and sovereignty and jurisdiction rights to its sea and islands.

The PM made the appeal at a meeting held in the central coastal city of Nha Trang on June 8 in response to the World Oceans Day (June 8) and the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2011.

He emphasised the important role of sea and islands in the socio-economic development of most nations worldwide.

Vietnam’s security closely linked with regional security

Mon, 06/06/2011 - 09:42

(VNA) Vietnam holds the views that its national security is closely linked to regional and international security and stands ready to be a trustworthy friend and partner of countries in the international community.

The statement was made by the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, General Phung Quang Thanh, at a plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 5.

VN’s defence policy is peace, self-defence: minister

Mon, 06/06/2011 - 08:19

(VNA) General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, on June 5 delivered a speech at the fifth plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue, stating that Vietnam ’s defence policies are directed at peace and self-defence.

The fifth plenary session of the 10 th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore focused on responding to new maritime security threats in the East Sea .

The Vietnamese Minister said “Responding to New Maritime Security Threats” is really a theme of crucially topical relevance to the peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

US opposes use of force in East Sea: spokesperson

Fri, 06/03/2011 - 13:26

(VNA) A spokesperson of the US State Department reaffirmed that US opposes the use of force or threat of force in the East Sea by any party and supports the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

Regarding the acts of Chinese marine surveillance vessels which on May 26 cut exploration cables of the Binh Minh 02 ship of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) when the ship was conducting seismic surveys on the continental shelf of Vietnam, the US spokesperson said:

VN protests China’s threats to its fishermen

Thu, 06/02/2011 - 15:14

(VNA) Vietnam has demanded that the Chinese side immediately cease actions that violated its sovereignty and hindered Vietnamese fishing boats and fishermen operating in the waters of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

This statement was made in a diplomatic note sent by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s representative to the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi on June 2, to protest against Chinese marine forces using weapons to threaten Vietnamese fishermen who were conducting their normal, legal activities in the waters of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago.

Vietnam attends 24th ASEAN - US Dialogue

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 10:18

(VNA) Vietnamese delegation, led by Pham Quang Vinh, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Head of Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) ASEAN Vietnam participated in the 24 th ASEAN - US Dialogue in Washington on May 25-26.

The Philippines, in its capacity as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN - US relations led the ASEAN delegations. From the US, the delegation was headed by Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs.

Pages