Chinese bank's branch on Phu Lam island is illegal

At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of February 9 in Hanoi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh announced a number of outstanding foreign affairs activities in the coming time and answered a number of questions of interest to the press.

Announcing a number of upcoming foreign affairs activities, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh emphasized that within the framework of the activities of APEC Vietnam 2017, the First APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 1) and related meetings will be held in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province from February 18 to March 3.

Taking place in the context of many fluctuations in the international and regional situation, SOM 1 is very important in affirming APEC's determination to strengthen cooperation, contributing to creating momentum for growth and connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh speaks at a press conference. (Photo: Pham Kien/VNA)

Within the framework of SOM 1, there will be about 60 meetings, dialogues and workshops revolving around the theme of APEC 2017: "Creating new momentum, fostering a common future" and focusing on discussions to approve the following contents: Specifying the contents of proposed initiatives to implement the four priorities of APEC 2017, the priorities of the four committees on trade and investment, economics, economic and technical cooperation, budget and management as well as other cooperation of APEC and orientation of activities in APEC 2017.

The meetings are expected to be attended by about 1,500 delegates from member economies, international and regional organizations, businesses and scholars from within and outside APEC. Also on this occasion, from February 23-24, the APEC Finance Deputy Ministers and Deputy Governors Meeting will take place in Nha Trang city.

Responding to press questions regarding Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP of the Government regulating electronic visas for foreigners, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh said that in implementing the policy on electronic visas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely coordinating with Vietnamese agencies to implement this policy in practice, especially for tourists as well as foreigners visiting Vietnam.

In the next few days, copies of this Decree in various languages ​​will be sent to embassies and international agencies in Hanoi. This Decree aims to promote tourism as well as international exchanges between international citizens and Vietnam.

Vietnam's response to the Chinese Bank establishing a branch in the so-called "Sansha city" on Phu Lam island, part of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated: "As we have repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Therefore, any foreign activity in this area, if it occurs without Vietnam's permission, is illegal and cannot change the fact that Vietnam has full sovereignty over this area."

Regarding the reporter's question about the death of an Australian tourist in Ha Long Bay, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said: "This is a very heartbreaking incident. As soon as we received information about this incident, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam coordinated with Vietnamese authorities, including the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to resolve the incident"./.

According to Vietnamplus