Addressing the second day of a two-day meeting, Biden said "a great deal of history of our world in the next 50 years is going to be written in the ASEAN countries, and our relationship with you is the future, in the coming years and decades." The summit marks the first time that ASEAN leaders gathered as a group in Washington and their first meeting hosted by a U.S. president since 2016. The Biden administration hopes the effort will show that Washington remains focused on the Indo-Pacific and the long-term challenge of China, which it views as its main competitor, despite the crisis in Ukraine. "We're launching a new era - a new era - in U.S.-ASEAN relations," Biden said. Earlier, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told ASEAN leaders the United States would remain in the region for generations and stressed the need to maintain freedom of the seas, which Washington says is challenged by China. "The United States and ASEAN have shared a vision for this region, and together we … [Read more...] about US-ASEAN summit marks ‘new era’ for ties: Biden
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Defense leader meets with national contributors from An Giang province
An Giang is a locality in the key economic region of Mekong Delta, with an important position in terms of national defense and security and the national socio-economic development. During resistance wars for national liberation, the national protection war and international task performance, the armed forces and people of An Giang province united, promoted the patriotic traditions, and contributed significantly to the national liberation and reunification cause. To promote the revolutionary traditions, over the past time, the Party, authorities and people of An Giang province have always overcome hardships, promoted creativeness, and achieved great results in economy, society, national defense and security. Notably, the local authority has paid much attention to carrying out policies for national contributors and other social welfare activities. At the meeting, Major General Gau inquired after and presented gifts to An Giang’s national contributors. He also informed delegates on … [Read more...] about Defense leader meets with national contributors from An Giang province
More units kick-start gratitude activities
In Hai Phong city, Radar Regiment 295 of Division 363 under the Air Defense - Air Force Service sets a target that within 75 days, starting from May 14, the whole regiment will get highest results in building firm political stance, promoting high sense of responsibility, carrying out combat readiness, training, regularity building, and military discipline observance duties, realizing policies and organizing activities marking the Wounded and Fallen Soldiers’ Day. They will strive to have no case of violation of military discipline and State laws, and no incident in training, traffic participation and other activities. Under the emulation program, the Military Command of Ninh Binh province will boost dissemination of information and education on the tradition “When drinking water, remember its source,” and “Gratitude” of the nation, military, and implement policies for national contributors. At the launch of the emulation drive of the Soc Trang provincial Military Command, the … [Read more...] about More units kick-start gratitude activities
North Korea’s Kim says COVID ‘great turmoil’ as 21 new deaths reported
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Saturday that the spread of COVID-19 had put the country in "great turmoil" and called for an all-out battle to overcome the epidemic, while 21 new deaths were reported for a day earlier among people with fevers. North Korea made an unprecedented admission of its first COVID outbreak this week, after claiming no infections for more than two years since the start of the pandemic, but there was no sign a rigorous testing or treatment campaign was under way. Given North Korea's limited testing capabilities, the numbers released probably represent a small fraction of total infections, which could lead to thousands of deaths in one of only two countries without a COVID vaccination campaign, according to experts. The country's ruling Workers' Party met for an emergency meeting and heard reports of about 280,810 people being treated and 27 overall deaths since a fever of unidentified origins was reported starting in late April, KCNA … [Read more...] about North Korea’s Kim says COVID ‘great turmoil’ as 21 new deaths reported
Vietnam sees economic ties with U.S. as driver for stronger partnership: Prime Minister
Chinh welcomed the U.S.’s support for a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam, saying Vietnam is pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of international relations. Vietnam considers the U.S. one of its top partners, the PM said, adding that Vietnam wants to together with the U.S. deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership and make it more practical and stable in the long term, on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political system, contributing to the global and regional peace, stability, cooperation and development. He went on to say that Vietnam’s economy is growing well as it has entered the post-pandemic “new normal” phase thanks to the international donation of COVID-19 vaccines, a large volume of which came from the U.S. via the COVAX Facility. He expected enterprises of both sides will further enhance cooperation based on the harmony of interests and … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees economic ties with U.S. as driver for stronger partnership: Prime Minister
Vietnam prioritizing stepping up relations with Italy: Ambassador
The diplomat welcomed the recent development of the ASEAN-Italy relations and the latter’s contributions to the E.U.’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He emphasized that Vietnam gives priority to further stepping up the strategic partnership with Italy, and thanked the European nation for donating more than 2.8 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam. Hung conveyed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s invitation to President Mattarella to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and the 10th year of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, which was accepted with pleasure. President Mattarella, for his part, recalled his 2015 visit to Vietnam and thanked the country for supplying face masks to Italy during the time of the COVID-19. Congratulating Vietnam on its success in socio-economic development and international integration, he said Italy wants to further expand the strategic partnership with Vietnam - Italy’s leading … [Read more...] about Vietnam prioritizing stepping up relations with Italy: Ambassador
North Korea reports more deaths, says taking ‘swift measures’ against COVID outbreak
North Korea said on Sunday a total of 42 people had died as the country began its fourth day under a nationwide lockdown aimed at stopping the country's first confirmed COVID-19 outbreak. North Korea's admission on Thursday that it is battling an "explosive" COVID-19 outbreak has raised concerns that the virus could devastate a country with an under-resourced health system, limited testing capabilities and no vaccine programme. State news agency KCNA said the country was taking "swift state emergency measures" to control the epidemic, but there is no sign that Pyongyang was moving to accept international offers of vaccines. "All provinces, cities and counties of the country have been totally locked down and working units, production units and residential units closed from each other since the morning of May 12 and strict and intensive examination of all the people is being conducted," KCNA reported on Sunday. A day earlier North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the spread of … [Read more...] about North Korea reports more deaths, says taking ‘swift measures’ against COVID outbreak
North Korea reports more deaths, says taking ‘swift measures’ against Covid outbreak
North Korea's admission on Thursday that it is battling an "explosive" Covid-19 outbreak has raised concerns that the virus could devastate a country with an under-resourced health system, limited testing capabilities and no vaccine programme. State news agency KCNA said the country was taking "swift state emergency measures" to control the epidemic, but there is no sign that Pyongyang was moving to accept international offers of vaccines. "All provinces, cities and counties of the country have been totally locked down and working units, production units and residential units closed from each other since the morning of May 12 and strict and intensive examination of all the people is being conducted," KCNA reported on Sunday. A day earlier North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the spread of Covid-19 had thrust his country into "great turmoil" and called for an all-out battle to overcome the outbreak. Despite the lockdowns, Kim and other senior officials on Saturday attended … [Read more...] about North Korea reports more deaths, says taking ‘swift measures’ against Covid outbreak
Greek President’s Vietnam visit expected to deepen multi-faceted cooperation
The visit takes place in the context that the traditional friendship is developing fruitfully, with conservations and meetings between the two countries’ leaders maintained despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam and Greece established diplomatic ties on April 15, 1975. Greece opened its embassy in Hanoi in March 2007, while Vietnam opened its embassy in Athens in December 2010 and officially inaugurated it on March 26, 2012. Despite having to address a public-debt crisis with a range of political, economic and social issues, along with the migration crisis over the past time, Greece has placed importance to its relations with Vietnam. Two-way trade has grown rapidly over the past five years, surpassing USD 446 million in 2021, up 33 percent year-on-year. Notably, Vietnam’s exports to Greece have expanded strongly and the country has always run a large trade surplus with Greece. Vietnam mainly ships footwear, garments-textiles, and aquatic and timber products to … [Read more...] about Greek President’s Vietnam visit expected to deepen multi-faceted cooperation
PM attends dialogue on development orientations with Harvard school professors
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended a policy dialogue about development orientations of Vietnam in the 21st century with professors of the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 14 (US time) as part of his working trip to the US. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. — VNA/VNS Photo Speaking at the dialogue, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng said in 2019, he led a delegation of researchers to Harvard School to listen to experts’ opinions about the development strategy for the country. The delegation then studied and presented information on sustainable development. Accordingly, in order to achieve sustainable development, Vietnam needs to achieve sustainability not only in the economy but also in culture, society and among human beings. Vietnam defined the target of placing the people as the subject with all policies revolving around the people and benefiting … [Read more...] about PM attends dialogue on development orientations with Harvard school professors