The world last week in photos

(Baonghean.vn) - Let's review the most outstanding events of the past 7 days with Baonghean.vn.

1. The Philippines sues China over sovereignty issues in the South China Sea.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, the Philippines has historically been the most vocal opponent of China. China brazenly claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, even areas close to the shores of neighboring countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. Manila filed a lawsuit with the United Nations court in January 2013 to assert that Beijing's sovereignty claims are invalid and contrary to international law.

However, China refused to participate in the lawsuit and insisted on resolving the dispute bilaterally. But recently, Manila decided it could no longer compromise and strongly sued China over the "nine-dash line" claim.

Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario will lead the delegation to the court in The Hague, Netherlands, the seat of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations, to hear the case. Source: AP

The court began hearings last Wednesday. According to a PCA press release, the hearings were not open to the public; however, the court allowed Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan to send delegations as observers.

Philippine delegation attends lawsuit in the Netherlands. Source: Rappler

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh announced that a delegation had been sent to attend the Philippines' hearing in the Netherlands.

Reportedly, the Philippines has meticulously prepared for this lawsuit in an effort to win against China. The Philippines has brought a formidable team to the trial, including high-ranking officials from three government agencies, led by internationally renowned lawyer Paul Reichler, according to Rappler. Philippine lawyer Florin Hilbay and Reichler will represent Manila in presenting its case before the court.

The Philippines is bringing a large delegation to the trial, including high-ranking officials from three government agencies, led by internationally renowned lawyer Paul Reichler, according to Rappler. Philippine lawyer Florin Hilbay and Reichler will represent Manila in presenting its case before the court. [Image caption: The entire Philippine delegation and lawyers. Source: PCA]

On the Chinese side, although declaring that it does not accept the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations and will not participate in the Philippines' lawsuit, China is still actively lobbying to gain an advantage. The Chinese Embassy in The Hague has even established an official communication line with the court.

In light of these new developments, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has requested a second hearing from the Philippines early next week before deciding whether it has jurisdiction to consider the "nine-dash line" case.

Accordingly, the Court will determine whether China or the Philippines has ownership rights over the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, which contains vital shipping lanes for world trade.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario (center) during a hearing on July 8. Given a second chance, will the Philippines be able to defeat China? Source: Rappler

2. Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid a visit to the United States.

Earlier this week, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to the United States, aiming to strengthen and consolidate cooperative relations between the two countries, marking 20 years since the US announced the normalization of relations with Vietnam.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House. The General Secretary called it an exciting meeting that no one could have imagined 20 years ago. Source: Reuters

The two leaders shared views on how to resolve the South China Sea dispute and issued a Joint Statement on the Vision for Vietnam-US relations, affirming their commitment to further deepening the Comprehensive Partnership in various fields.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Obama shake hands after their meeting in the Oval Office. Source: Reuters

In addition, on the afternoon of July 7th, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended a reception hosted by the US government, led by Vice President Joe Biden, at the US State Department. Source: AFP

According to sources, the main issues discussed by both sides during this visit focused on the future of bilateral relations and the strengthening of the Comprehensive Partnership. Both countries affirmed their commitment to further developing a deep, sustainable, and substantive relationship based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, and each other's political institutions, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In addition, the South China Sea issue was also a key political topic of discussion.

Following President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met and worked with Senator John McCain. Senator McCain emphasized to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong that Vietnam and the United States still have much room for development, requiring both sides to continue efforts to capitalize on that potential. The US side is ready to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of defense and security. Source: AFP

The New York Times emphasized that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to the White House and meeting with President Obama took place as the two countries prepared to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the official normalization of diplomatic relations. This event also occurred 40 years after the end of the war. All of this demonstrates the depth of reconciliation in the Vietnam-US relationship.

Furthermore, numerous major newspapers and news agencies from many countries around the world and in the region also paid close attention to the meeting between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Obama. Most newspapers called it a "turning point" in Vietnam-US relations.

In addition, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also had a cordial conversation with former US President Bill Clinton, who made the decision to normalize relations with Vietnam 20 years ago.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his gratitude for the affection and important contributions of former President Clinton and his wife to the development of all-round relations between Vietnam and the United States over the past 20 years. He always considered Mr. and Mrs. Clinton as great friends of the Vietnamese people. The General Secretary presented a commemorative gift to the former US president. Source: AFP

3. North Korea appoints new Defense Minister.

North Korean state media announced today that a four-star general is the new Minister of Defense, three months after his predecessor was reportedly purged and executed.

The KCNA news agency referred to General Pak Yong Sik as "the head of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces" in a report about talks between North Korean and Lao government officials.

New North Korean Defense Minister Pak Yong Sik. Source: Yonhap

This marks the first time the country has confirmed the replacement of Hyon Yong Chol, who was allegedly purged and executed in April. South Korean intelligence said he was dismissed for insubordination and falling asleep during a meeting chaired by Kim Jong-un, but could not confirm whether he had been executed.

4. Malaysia wants to establish an international tribunal for MH17 exactly one year after the accident.

Malaysia proposed that the United Nations establish an international tribunal to try those suspected of shooting down a passenger plane in eastern Ukraine last year, but this was rejected by Russia.

Malaysia, a member of the UN Security Council, released a draft resolution on July 8, hoping it will be adopted later this month, diplomats said. This is a joint proposal from Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 is believed to have been shot down in July 2014 carrying 298 people, the majority of whom were Dutch. It crashed in territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The scene of the Malaysia Airlines plane wreckage in eastern Ukraine last year. It has been a year since this tragic accident, yet the truth remains unclear. Source: Reuters

Russia is a permanent member with veto power in the 15-member Security Council, along with France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Therefore, it has the right to block the proposal if it votes.

Ukraine and Western countries accuse separatists in eastern Ukraine of shooting down the plane with a Russian-made missile. But Moscow denies the accusation that it supplied the SA-11 Buk air defense missile system to the separatists.

Visiting the village of Grabovo, not far from Rozsypne – the site of the accident – ​​these days, one would hardly recognize it as the scene of a crash with charred aircraft wreckage and scattered bodies. However, reminders of the tragedy, such as signs and memorials, remain. "Stop and pray. Feel the flow of time. The Boeing crashed here. In that moment, many lives were lost," one sign reads. Source: Mirror

At the same time, a memorial service for the victims was held at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. During the ceremony, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak offered his condolences to the families and reaffirmed his commitment to finding those responsible for the incident.

Relatives of the victims pray during the memorial service. Source: Reuters

Compiled by Nhat Minh