Regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of January 8, in Hanoi, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang reviewed the main features of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' foreign affairs activities in 2014 and the direction of work in 2015; announced Vietnam's foreign affairs activities in the coming time and answered reporters' questions on issues of interest to the press.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang

Responding to a question from a VNA reporter asking for Vietnam's stance on the terrorist attack in France on January 7, 2015, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said: Vietnam condemns terrorist activities in all forms and considers the terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo editorial office in Paris (France) on January 7, 2015 to be an unacceptable barbaric act. Vietnam would like to express its condolences and sympathies to the French Government, the French people and the families of the victims and believes that the masterminds will soon be appropriately punished. On January 8, 2015, President Truong Tan Sang sent a message of condolences and sympathies to French President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a message of condolences and sympathies to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a message of condolences to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabiusabius.

Regarding the case of 136 Vietnamese citizens, after the Malaysian police rescued them at a nightclub on January 3, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Immediately after receiving information about the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia to contact the Malaysian authorities to urgently verify the incident, as well as the identities of those involved. The Malaysian side has acknowledged the concerns of the Vietnamese side and said that they are in the process of investigating. It is known that these women have been transferred to the Social Protection Center of Malaysia. After verifying the identities of these people, the Vietnamese and Malaysian sides will work towards bringing these citizens back to Vietnam. Vietnam also takes measures to protect citizens returning home.

Regarding regulations on entry and exit, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, on16/6/2014, The Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam was passed by the National Assembly and officially took effect from January 1, 2015. This law was developed based on a summary of more than 20 years of implementing the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2000 and maintains regulations that meet the requirements of the country's new development stage, while introducing many new regulations that are more consistent with international practices. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with relevant agencies to guide the implementation of this law, in order to create favorable conditions for foreigners to enter, exit and reside in Vietnam.

Regarding the reporter's question about organizing activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations and measures to promote bilateral relations between the two countries, Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said: In 2015, Vietnam and China celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, the two sides will exchange congratulatory messages from high-ranking leaders of the two countries and organize commemorative activities in the two countries to consolidate and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and China. Vietnam and China also agreed to maintain regular contact between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two States, strengthen exchange and cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties, between ministries, departments, branches and localities, especially promote people-to-people exchanges, and continue to promote mutually beneficial, balanced and sustainable economic and trade cooperation.

Responding to questions about the Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig moving in international waters into the East Sea, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the task of Vietnamese authorities is to firmly protect Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea. As a member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Vietnam always fully implements all its rights and obligations in accordance with international law, contributing to the common work for peace, stability, freedom, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea. Vietnam's consistent policy is to resolve issues in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam resolutely fights against activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea.

According to News