Category: Government Policy

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping has sent a letter to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong to thank him for cabling a message of condolences over the passing of comrade Jiang Zemin.

 

The following is a translation of the letter:

 

Thank-you letter

 

To: Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee,

 

Dear Comrade General Secretary,

 

On behalf of the Chinese Party, State and people, I sincerely would like to thank you for sending a message of condolences over the passing of comrade Jiang Zemin and to convey the thank-you from comrade Jiang Zemin’s family to you.

 

Comrade Jiang Zemin had joined hands with Vietnamese leaders to promote the normalisation of China-Vietnam relations and established the 16-world motto of “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, looking towards the future” which has had a deep and far-reaching impact on the development of the China-Vietnam relationship.

 

Recently, comrade General Secretary had a very successful visit to China. We discussed major orientations for the development of the China-Vietnam ties and reached important common perceptions. I attach great importance to the development of the China-Vietnam relations and stay ready to work with you to promote the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new height in the new era.

 

I would like to send the best wishes to you./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outlined main tasks to improve the material and spiritual life of labourers at a meeting on coordination between the Government and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Hanoi on February 1.

 

The ministries of planning and investment; industry and trade; foreign affairs; and labour, invalids and social affairs should coordinate with the VGCL in boosting production and business, expanding the market, creating more jobs for labourers, and improving their skills, the Government leader said.

 

He asked the ministries of construction, natural resources and environment and finance to work together with the confederation in handling issues relating to housing for labourers.

 

The VGCL should coordinate with the ministries of culture, sports and tourism; health; and education and training in building cultural, educational and health care establishments in service of labourers, according to the PM.

 

Specific coordination plans need to be sketched out within this month, he stressed, and mentioned tasks for ministries, agencies and localities regarding institutions for workers at industrial and processing zones, especially those on housing, incentives for fishermen, insurance and wages for employees.

 

The PM noted that more than 68.43 million workers and over 1.41 million employers received support worth some 104.5 trillion VND (4.45 billion USD) to cope with COVID-19 consequences in 2022.

 

He lauded the VGCL, trade union members and labourers nationwide for their close coordination and effective companionship, contributing to the national achievements.

 

The leader said he will hold more working sessions with ministries, agencies and associations over the implementation of macro-economic tasks and three breakthroughs set at the 13th National Party Congress, market expansion and diversification, supply chain diversification and job generation.

 

He emphasised the need to strengthen the Vietnamese trade union and the working class, and step up the communication work to popularise resolutions, policies and laws of the Party and the State among trade union members and labourers.

 

More attention should be paid to aspirations and proposals by labourers and businesses in order to take timely response measures, he said, asking the VGCL to coordinate with ministries, agencies and localities in rolling out measures to keep the labour market stable and growing in an effective and sustainable fashion.

 

The confederation was also requested to partner with relevant ministries, agencies and local authorities in personnel training, helping labourers improve their professional skills and legal knowledge, Chinh said.

 

He suggested the launch of emulation movements, thus encouraging trade union members and employees to embark on startups, make innovations and raise productivity.

 

VGCL President Nguyen Dinh Khang reported that in 2022, the Government and the VGCL had coordinated closely, thus protecting the legitimate rights and interests of labourers and contributing to completing socio-economic development tasks. The PM held a dialogue with workers, which was linked with sites in the 63 cities and provinces nationwide, to listen to their opinions and discuss how to settle the issues of their concern.

 

The confederation proposed that the Government direct ministries, agencies and localities to promptly materialise projects and policies on workers, he said./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on February 1 signed a decision to posthumously award the Fatherland Protection Order to Major Colonel, pilot Tran Ngoc Duy who died in a military training aircraft crash one day ago.

 

The decision stated that upon reviewing the Prime Minister’s proposal dated February 1, 2023, the President decided to posthumously award the third-class Fatherland Protection Order to Lieutenant, pilot Duy, Deputy Squadron Leader – Chief of Staff of Squadron 1, Regiment 921, Division 371 of the Ministry of National Defence’s Air and Air Defence Force for his outstanding achievements and sacrifices while performing air combat training missions, contributing to the cause of socialism building and national defence.

 

Earlier, the Ministry of National Defence decided to posthumously promote him from the rank of Captain to Major Colonel. The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union also decided to posthumously award the “Brave Youth” badge to him.

 

On January 31, Duy piloted a military jet SU22 in a training session. At 12:27 pm, while landing, the aircraft encountered a problem.

 

The pilot was ordered to parachute, but he tried to fix it instead. The aircraft eventually crashed and he died./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said that the country, as the ASEAN chair this year, aims to push for more concrete and inclusive cooperation among countries in the region.

 

Speaking in a hearing of Indonesia’s parliament on January 30, the minister emphasised they want to show the world that ASEAN is relevant and important for all regions and countries across the globe.

 

She added that they should be confident because the economy in Southeast Asia will still be more stable and grow faster than the global economy.

 

According to Marsudi, during its ASEAN chairmanship, Indonesia will organise a flagship discussion about the creative economy, digital economy for sustainable development goals, infrastructure development, as well as inclusive business and investment.

 

Indonesia wants ASEAN to uphold the principle of development inclusiveness so that no country will feel excluded or left behind, because such insecurity can trigger or maintain rivalry among countries in the region, Marsudi said.

 

Earlier, at a ceremony to launch Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN chairmanship on January 29, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasised its theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.

 

He said Indonesia, as Southeast Asia’s largest economy, should foster initiatives and concrete steps to solve crucial regional issues and lead  other member states to contribute to the world amid the current challenging situation.

 

ASEAN will continue to maintain economic growth, peace, and stability in the region, he said./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Thailand is set to open three new “smart” piers on the Chao Phraya River this year to help reduce traffic problems and offer improved transport links between road, rail, and river.

 

The Rama VII Pier, Tha Tian Pier, and Kiakkai Pier will be upgraded to become smart piers this year, deputy spokeswoman of the Thai Government Tipanan Sirichana said on January 30.

 

The government planned to upgrade 29 piers into smart ones by 2025, at a cost of about 942 million THB (28.77 million USD). They will be equipped with real-time displays to inform commuters of boat arrival times. The facilities will also have free WiFi and mobile-phone charging stations, with a design that offers support for wheelchair users.

 

The smart piers will have a landmark-worthy aesthetic and will connect to other transport platforms, she said, adding that they will also accept digital payments, including prepaid cards and mobile payments.

 

Six smart piers at Sathon, Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), Tha Chang, Nonthaburi, Phayap, and the Marine Department have been opened since 2019 – 2021. Two others, Bang Pho and Rajinee, have finished their upgrades during the past 12 months.

 

The Thai Government expects the number of boat commuters will increase to 53,000 per day in 2027, two years after the plan is completed, according to the official./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The European Union (EU) is expecting trade with Malaysia to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, EU Ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas has said.

 

The EU pledged to continue to make Malaysia its strategic partner given its significant gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, he spoke during Bernama TV’s programme  entitled “Malaysia-EU Relations” on January 31.

 

ASEAN countries in general are a great destination, he said, adding that 45% of EU trade (to ASEAN) goes through Malaysia’s shores.

 

According to Rokas, the EU and Malaysia have formed a strong bilateral relationship and investment commitment for decades even before the introduction of any treaty tools or trade instrument. This means Malaysia is already a trusted partner for the EU, because of its democracy, rule of law, native English speakers, ease of doing business and skilled workforce, among others, he was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying.

 

The ambassador said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which was signed in Brussels in December last year, would provide a major springboard that would boost EU-Malaysia trade.

 

Pre-pandemic, the two-way EU-Malaysia trade amounted to over 300 billion EUR but it dropped to 50 billion EUR after the pandemic hit amid supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and closure of factories.

 

Expressing his interest to be working closely with the new government under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on various reforms, Rokas said there are close to 1,500 European companies operating in the Southeast Asian country at present.

 

For future potential collaboration, he said key areas would be in green technologies, digitalisation, cybersecurity, human development, education as well as logistics and commodity manufacturing./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will hold a dialogue with young people in Hanoi on March 26, the Government Office has announced.

 

Ministries, agencies and units concerned were assigned to perform tasks in the event organising plan issued by the Minister of Home Affairs.

 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) was asked to work with the Government Office and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) to publicise the plan and conclusions of the event on the portals of the Government, MoHA and HCYU Central Committee.

 

According to Decree No. 13/2021/ND-CP, the PM and Chairpersons of the People’s Committees at all levels are responsible for holding dialogues with young people at least once a year.

 

Dialogue discussions include mechanisms, policies and laws for young people, activities of agencies and organisations involved in legitimate rights and interests of the youth, the role and responsibility of young people in study and labour as well as their participation in socio-economic development and national defence, and other suggestions./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Thailand’s industrial output further declined more than expected in December 2022, as a global slowdown hit demand for Thai exports, according to the Ministry of Industry.

 

In the month, its manufacturing production index (MPI) dropped 8.19% from the same time in 2021, mainly due to lower production of furniture, hard disk drives and plastic pellets.

 

Factory output is likely to fall again in January 2023 due to slowing global demand and a high base despite some support from increased domestic activity, the ministry said in a statement.

 

In 2023, the ministry anticipated the MPI would increase 2.5%-3.5%, after a 0.62% rise in 2022.

 

Industrial goods account for about 80% of Thailand’s total exports, which in December contracted 14.6% from a year earlier./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency