A container being loaded onto a ship at a port in South Korea. (Source: Yonhap) Seoul (VNA) – The Republic of Korea's exports grew 14.8 percent on-year during the first 20 days of May, thanks to good shipments of semiconductors and petrochemical goods, the local news agency Yonhap reported. The country's outbound shipments reached 29.1 billion USD in the May 1-20 period, the news agency cited the data from the Korea Customs Service. The customs office said that daily average exports, which reflect working days, rose by 10.4 percent annually to 2.24 billion USD. Overseas shipments of semiconductors surged 42.8 percent, with those of petrochemical goods increasing 19.1 percent. However, exports of ships plunged 33.6 percent. Outbound shipments to China, the United States and the European Union rose 25.1 percent, 14 percent and 33.1 percent year on year, respectively. Imports advanced 10.7 percent to 27.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of around 1.5 billion USD, the … [Read more...] about RoK’s import – export turnover rise
Vietnam denounces China’s landing of bombers on seized island in the Paracels
Vietnam's foreign ministry on Monday denounced recent landing and taking off drills carried out by Chinese bombers on the Paracel (Hoang Sa) Islands as a serious violation of Vietnam's sovereignty in the South China Sea, which it calls the East Sea. The move has increased tension, caused destabilization and is not beneficial to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the region, according to the ministry's spokesperson, Le Thi Thu Hang. In addition to violating Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, it goes against the Vietnam-China Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Maritime Issues, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and negatively affects the negotiation of a Code of Conduct in the waters. "Vietnam requests that China put an end to these activities immediately, stop militarization, seriously respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa Islands, seriously comply with the Vietnam-China Agreement on … [Read more...] about Vietnam denounces China’s landing of bombers on seized island in the Paracels
Activities in Netherlands, Canada mark President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Ngo Thi Hoa presented certificates of merit to outstanding Vietnamese students in the Netherlands at the ceremony. (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 128th birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890) was marked with a ceremony in The Hague, the Netherlands, and a discussion in Toronto, Canada, recently. At the celebration in The Hague, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Ngo Thi Hoa said on May 19 every year, each Vietnamese people think of Ho Chi Minh with great respect and gratitude. The movement of studying and following the late leader’s ideology, morality and style has been enhanced, helping Vietnamese people at home and abroad to better understand the significant values of his ideology, morality and style, she noted. Participants in the ceremony offered incense to pay homage to President Ho Chi Minh. A documentary was also screened to give participants an insight into his journey abroad to seek … [Read more...] about Activities in Netherlands, Canada mark President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday
Thailand declares no-go zone for opposition march
Illustrative image (Source: youtube) Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand’s police on May 21 declared the Bangkok-based Government House and surrounding streets a no-go zone for the planned opposition march a day later marking four years since the coup on May 22, 2014, warning protesters not to defy the junta administration’s ban on public gatherings. Some 3,000 police were deployed ahead of the march, which is due to start at Thammasat University and end at the Government House in a bid to pressure the military government to hold a general election by November. Deputy National Police Chief Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul told reporters that 50 metres around the Government House will be controlled areas. Around 1,000 protesters are expected to gather on May 22, he said, reminding them of the government’s ban on public gatherings of more than five people. Thailand’s junta government has repeatedly postponed the election but now insists a vote will be held by February … [Read more...] about Thailand declares no-go zone for opposition march
VN actively contributes to preparing for meeting of workers’ parties
Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Nguyen Manh Cuong (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended a meeting of a working group in Athens, Greece, on May 19 and 20 to discuss preparation for the 20th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties (IMCWP). Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Nguyen Manh Cuong led a delegation, who was active at the discussion, held during the meeting’s course. … [Read more...] about VN actively contributes to preparing for meeting of workers’ parties
Pilot project on ethnic written languages effective
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Thua Thien – Hue (VNA) – The pilot project on developing Co Tu written language, funded by Norway’s FARO AS organisation, has proved effective after one year of implementation. Accordingly, 59 out of 63 first-grade pupils in two elementary schools in A Luoi and Nam Dong districts, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue scored over 5 out of 10 points during the end-of-term test, 14 of them earned 9-10 point. The organisation also funded another pilot project on developing Co Tu written language for fourth and fifth-grade primary student and Pa Ko, Ta Oi written languages for first, second and third-grade primary students. The project aims to contribute to the maintenance and development of written languages for Co Tu, Pa Ko and Ta Oi ethnic groups, thus preserving and developing their cultural values. Earlier, the provincial Department of Education and Training, in collaboration with of the Vietnam Academy of … [Read more...] about Pilot project on ethnic written languages effective
EVFTA
At the event (Source: VNA) Warsaw (VNA) – The upcoming valid EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will create a strong driving force for fostering Vietnam – EU comprehensive economic partnership via the abolition of 99 percent of import tariffs in the next 7-10 years. Chairman of the Polish – Asian Chamber of Commerce and former Polish Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechocinski made the remark at a thematic session on ASEAN – EU economic cooperation recently held for the first time within the framework of the 10th European Economic Congress (EEC) in Warsaw, Poland. Other delegates said the Polish government strongly supports the deal and ranks Vietnam among the five priority markets, adding that Polish firms will be at an advantage when doing business in Vietnam. Vietnamese Ambassador to Poland Vu Dang Dung presented six competitive edges of Vietnamese economy, including its entry to free trade deals with developed economies in North America, … [Read more...] about EVFTA
Malaysia’s debt at alarming rate
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (Source: Xinhua) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the country’s debt has reached an alarming 1 trillion RM (252 billion USD), the New Straits Times reported. Speaking to civil servants under the Prime Minister’s Department on May 20, Mahathir said important measures must be taken for the nation to quickly recover from the situation, adding that the country used to have debts of around 300 billion RM when he was the PM previously. Malaysia’s gross domestic product hit 296.36 billion USD, equivalent to the 2017 figure. According to the Malaysiakini newspaper, Mahathir has formed a special task force to investigate the 1MDB scandal as well as to prosecute wrongdoers and retrieve related assets. The task force will be responsible for coordinating investigations, detecting and retrieving assets from the misappropriation of 1MDB funds stashed or invested domestically and abroad. … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s debt at alarming rate
Thousands of students join drowning prevention program
Students join activities at the event. Photo: vtc.vn The event served as the kick-starter for a series of events in the program of “Safe swimming guidance and prevention of drowning for children in 2018” waged by the General Department of Sports and Physical Training under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The program consists of various events and activities held across 63 provinces and cities nationwide from May to August of 2018. After the launch, more than 3,500 students from primary and secondary schools of Ninh Binh city joined activities related to drowning prevention, such as skills and measures to prevent and deal with drowning situations. The Teenager swimming tournament of Ninh Binh province in 2018 was also kicked off at the event. Translated by Song Anh … [Read more...] about Thousands of students join drowning prevention program
Seven officers to be deployed to UN peacekeeping missions
On the morning of May 21, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, Deputy-Defense Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, under the authorization of the State President, handed over the State President’s decisions to seven Vietnamese military officers. Representatives of the Department of Personnel announce the decisions. Under the decisions, the seven Vietnamese military officers will hold different positions at the two UN peacekeeping missions of UNMISS and MINUSCA. At the meeting, Deputy-Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and leaders of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other relevant agencies under the Ministry of National Defense also listened to reports from three Vietnamese peacekeepers that had just finished their one-year working term in MINUSCA. According to the reports, the Vietnamese peacekeepers in MINUSCA successfully accomplished their missions. They strictly observed international law and rules … [Read more...] about Seven officers to be deployed to UN peacekeeping missions