Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen delivers the opening address at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEX) Asia 2019. (Source: www.mindef.gov.sg) All Asian-Pacific countries need strong consensus in implementing common rules for the seas to maintain maritime security, Singaporean Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen has said. Ng made the call at the opening ceremony of the 12th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia in Singapore on May 14. While underlining the importance of marine trade to the Asian-Pacific region, he said despite global uncertainties, including trade disputes and security tensions, trade volumes through the seas have been increasing and are expected to increase further. As traditional maritime threats such as transnational maritime terrorism, piracy, and trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans persist, more cooperation between governments and armed forces are needed, Ng said. Regarding disputes in the East … [Read more...] about Singapore calls on regional nations to implement common rules for seas
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Joint statement on establishment of Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second from left) and his Australian counterpart Malcom Turnbull witness the signing ceremony of the two countries' memoranda of understanding (Photo: VNA) Canberra (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are paying an official visit to Australia and attending the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit from March 14-18. On March 15, the two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia. The following is the full text of the joint statement. JOINT STATEMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 1. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and Australia have built strong and substantive relations on the basis of mutual respect and interest. Converging security and economic interests and deepening people-to-people links anchor our bilateral relationship and cooperation. 2. The Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, … [Read more...] about Joint statement on establishment of Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership
Vietnam-China issues Joint Communique
The Joint Communique said that during the visit, the Vietnamese Party chief held talks with Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, and had meetings with China’s Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang; Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China (NPCC) Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang; Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng; and Secretary of the Chinese Party Central Committee’s Commission for Discipline Inspection, Wang Qishan. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC Yu Zhengsheng attended a friendship meeting celebrating the 67th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties and the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet). Besides Beijing, the Vietnamese party chief made a tour of Zhejiang province. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam-China issues Joint Communique
Many embankment projects still on paper as HCM City battles severe flooding
River erosion and high tide have made great impact on dwellers’ lives and production; accordingly, HCM City authorities have drawn up embankment construction projects to regulate water level and drainage. However, many of them are on paper. Many embankment projects still on paper as HCMC battles severe flooding In 2018, HCMC experienced seven high tide. For instance, the high tide in early February, water level in Phu An station was 1.71 meter exceeding the third-stage warning level. Additionally, HCMC has had seven landslides in suburban districts 2, Can Gio, and Nha Be damaging total two houses and partially two others. Also in 2018, the Steering Board for Natural Disaster Prevention and Rescue said that the city has tackled seven flooded streets including Me Coc, Luu Huu Phuoc in district 8, Luong Dinh Cua and Truong Vinh Ky in district 2 and Ton That Hiep, An Duong Vuong, and Ho Van Tu. In order to solve the flooding and draining, HCMC has intensified the … [Read more...] about Many embankment projects still on paper as HCM City battles severe flooding
Vietnam, China defense ministers meet up over maritime disputes
Territorial disputes in the East Vietnam Sea were the focus of discussions between the defense chiefs of Vietnam and China during the Chinese minister’s visit to Hanoi on March 26-28, the Vietnam News Agency has reported. Colonel General Chang Wanquan, China’s Minister of National Defense, paid an official friendly visit to Vietnam from March 26 to 28 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart General Phung Quang Thanh. During the opening session on Sunday at the defense ministry's headquarters in the Vietnamese capital, Minister Thanh underlined that Minister Chang’s visit was a favorable opportunity for bilateral defense cooperation between the two ministries and the realization of directions from the two Parties and governments. The Vietnamese minister also regarded the visit as an opportunity to execute bilateral defense agreements to strengthen mutual political confidence and promote defense cooperation relations between the two countries. Minister Chang … [Read more...] about Vietnam, China defense ministers meet up over maritime disputes