Beijing said last week two American warships sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea without permission, prompting the Chinese Navy to ask them to leave. The ships entered waters adjacent to Gaven and Chigua reefs in the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls Nansha, on May 6, China's foreign ministry said. Speaking on the sidelines of a maritime security conference in Singapore, Admiral John Richardson said Washington will continue such operations which are aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation. The U.S. will however ensure that communications with Beijing remain open to prevent any untoward incidents, he added. "I really value the channel of communication that I have with Shen Jinlong," he told reporters, referring to his Chinese counterpart. "We just recently visited China, we had a chance to get to know each other, understand each other more thoroughly. "We can continue to advocate that while we may not see things the same in all parts of the world, we've got to work … [Read more...] about US navy chief does not want China tensions to ‘boil over’
Does it really work
Vietnam’s crisis of faith is destroying its festivals
Journalist Vu Viet Tuan Prof Ngo Duc Thinh, the former head of the Vietnamese Institute of Culture and a personal acquaintance, once told me about how Vietnam is facing a "crisis of faith." But it wasn’t being brought about by a lack of faith. It was because of too much of it. This crisis is evident from how northern provinces celebrate countless festivals of all shapes and sizes at the beginning of each year. For all their extravagance and grandeur, these festivals are also lightning rods for criticism and controversies, mostly about how modern society has corrupted them and subverted their original purpose. One good example is the New Year Blessing Festival at the Tuc Mac Temple in Nam Dinh Province. Once a solemn event to welcome the New Year and wish people luck, it is now marked by chaos and cacophony, with people jostling and shoving others to fight for, apparently, "good luck." The festival goes all the way back to the ancient dynasties of Vietnam. Legend has it that in … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s crisis of faith is destroying its festivals
United’s winning streak really does bring a tear to my eye
Viet Nam News by Paul Kennedy Although it pains me to say it, and I’ve said it before in the pages of this newspaper, Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world. This point was hammered home to me only last week in, of all places, Kinh Môn. For those of you not familiar Kinh Môn, it’s a district in Hải Dương Province, about 70 kilometres or so east of Hà Nội. And it is famous for onions. And I’m not just talking about any old onion here. I’m talking the crème de le crème of onions. But it was in this very place, let’s call it Onion Town, that I was almost reduced to tears. I was there at the invitation of the local People’s Committee who were keen to show off the excellent agricultural work being carried out in the region. The trip started with a briefing from those in charge, but as my Vietnamese is limited to counting to ten, telling a Grab driver to turn left or right and … [Read more...] about United’s winning streak really does bring a tear to my eye
HEINEKEN working to fend off tomorrow’s problems
Leo Evers, managing director of HEINEKEN Vietnam HEINEKEN Vietnam has been recognised as the most sustainable company in Vietnam for the second consecutive year. Which part of your sustainability agenda do you think sets you apart? The award is such a wonderful honour for everyone at HEINEKEN Vietnam. We are proud of the fact that sustainability is part of our core business strategy. I think this is a crucial aspect of having a good sustainability agenda and it means it truly covers your entire value chain from manufacturing through distribution to consumption. Sustainability is not only the right thing to do, but it has also proven to be good for our business. Moreover, HEINEKEN’s global and local Vietnamese sustainability strategy is designed to support eight out of 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Sustainability Agenda. In the long run, I believe that this approach will help enhance corporate and national productivity and … [Read more...] about HEINEKEN working to fend off tomorrow’s problems
Việt Nam: it’s time to make regulations strong and effective
Viet Nam News Võ Trí Thành* Việt Nam has made great efforts in fine-tuning its regulatory system and reaped certain successes in recent years. This is, however, not yet finished but now is the right time to speed up this reform to make regulations strong and effective. Since 1986, Việt Nam has issued a number of laws to regulate economic activities in line with market-oriented reforms. In 1996, the National Assembly introduced the first Law on Legal Normative Documents (also known as the Law on Laws). This law specifies the authority of different bodies in promulgating different types of regulations, including laws, ordinances, decisions and circulars. Việt Nam also embarked on simplifying administrative procedures. This direction of work was initiated in the 1990s but only materialised during the 2000s, especially since 2007. Reducing barriers for local firms to do business is acknowledged as a core priority to support the business community and … [Read more...] about Việt Nam: it’s time to make regulations strong and effective
How does technology make lives faster and easier?
Richard R. C. Shih speaking at Taiwan Excellence 2018 In the 4.0 era, how important are smart technology applications in our day-to-day lives? Are these applications suitable for use in Vietnam? We have various emerging technologies that impact our lives in different ways today. Take smart technology for example, it makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enable a level of cognitive awareness. The technology employs machine learning and Big Data analysis to perform functions that have traditionally been done by humans. This boosts the efficiency, productivity, and functionality of almost anything it is applied to, hence creating a smarter and more comfortable life for us. Vietnam is both qualified and motivated to take the lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Smart applications can be applied in various fields in Vietnam, ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to education or home appliances. It also attracts great attention from users in Vietnam. In Vietnam, real … [Read more...] about How does technology make lives faster and easier?
A job you can’t really bank on
It was a job that paid well, and she was given extra responsibilities, but Thao’d had enough. She quit her job at one of the top state-owned commercial banks five months ago. The 27-year-old had worked for the bank for four years since her college graduation. But the policy of squeezing employees and extracting extra work got to be too much. Thao said she was overworked and stressed out, and couldn’t take it anymore. “Since there was a change in management and organization, work kept stacking up. I had to hold two positions at the same time,” Thao, who does not want to reveal her full name, told VnExpress International. She was initially recruited as a corporate lending relationship officer, but later when her office expanded, she was asked to undertake another position – that of data administrator, because of limited manpower. The heavy workload required her to be in the office from 7 a.m. until 8-9 p.m. every day. Apart from the hectic … [Read more...] about A job you can’t really bank on
“It’s not distance, but direction that’s important”
Viet Nam News By Robert Bicknell Haizzzz… here we go again. Apparently, the USGA has decided to officially continue their investigation re: the golf ball goes too far. The study, known as the “Distance Insights Research Project”, will initially involve 21 industry stakeholders (architects, superintendents, golf course operators, tour players, and recreational players among them). It’s true that Tour players have been driving the ball around nine yards further than five years ago, but is this the ball or a combination of other factors? In my opinion, the players today are bigger and in better physical condition. This is why they can generate much more clubhead speed. In a recent article, Dustin Johnson said that he didn’t feel he hits the ball too far. Well, no surprise there, but to be honest, he really doesn’t. Sure, when he really gets a hold of one people gasp in amazement, but that’s an exception and usually downwind. His … [Read more...] about “It’s not distance, but direction that’s important”
EU senses Facebook scandal shifts privacy tide in its favour
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg testifies earlier this week about the data breaches at the social media which have sparked calls for tougher rules AFP/SAUL LOEB After years of mounting concern, the European Union will introduce tough new data protection rules next month, which Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg himself has welcomed in the face of the latest scandals. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into force on May 25, gives web users much greater control over how their personal information is stored and used, with big fines for companies that break the rules. "I was really desperate about thinking how to make the best possible campaign for GDPR so now this is well done, so thank you Mr Zuckerberg," the EU's justice and consumer affairs commissioner Vera Jourova told reporters in Brussels this week. "His declaration that they want to expand our European rules globally, it's only good news, it sounds very nice to me." The GDPR is not the only EU … [Read more...] about EU senses Facebook scandal shifts privacy tide in its favour
First work with Industrial Revolution 4.0, learn it later: Viettel CEO
Viettel CEO Major General Nguyen Manh Hung According to delegates at the meeting, Industrial Revolution 4.0 is now developing drastically throughout the world, with various impacts on all aspects of industry, business and social life; thus, it is urgent and important for Vietnam to train high-quality human resources to meet the revolution. In his remarks at the event, General Hung said that Industrial Revolution 4.0 can mean “the new is replaced the old,” but what is more important is whether or not people dare to change. He stressed that Viettel closely follows the concept “Creating differences from the impossible” and applies this bold concept into its operation, innovation and human resources development. “If one first starts by learning about the overview of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and does nothing, he/she will lose. The Fourth Industrial Revolution with tools of 4.0 helps create different ways of doing things so one will lag behind forever if … [Read more...] about First work with Industrial Revolution 4.0, learn it later: Viettel CEO