Highlights of domestic events this past week

(Baonghean.vn) - The Japanese Emperor and Empress paid an official visit to Vietnam; Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the flag-raising ceremony for two Kilo-class submarines; the February 2017 regular government meeting; a house fire killed four people in Binh Duong;... these were some of the notable domestic events of the past week.

1. The Emperor and Empress of Japan pay an official visit to Vietnam.

To the sound of welcoming music, President Tran Dai Quang invited Emperor Akihito to step onto the honorary platform. The military band played the national anthems of both countries.

At the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang and his wife, the Emperor and Empress of Japan paid a State visit to Vietnam from February 28 to March 5.

The visit takes place against the backdrop of the increasingly positive and comprehensive development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia between Vietnam and Japan across many fields. Exchanges and contacts between high-level leaders, officials at all levels, and local authorities of the two countries, as well as people-to-people exchanges, occur frequently and closely. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently concluded a successful official visit to Vietnam in January 2017.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan are the noble symbols of the nation and the unity of the Japanese people. The Emperor and Empress of Japan only make visits on special anniversaries to partners with close ties to Japan. Emperor Akihito has a positive sentiment towards Vietnam and supports members of the Japanese Imperial Family strengthening exchanges with Vietnam.

The State visit to Vietnam by the Emperor and Empress of Japan is a significant event, bearing symbolic meaning and marking a historical milestone in the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries. It demonstrates Japan's affection and concern for the country and people of Vietnam, contributing to the further comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, enhancing mutual understanding between the two nations, and fulfilling the aspirations of the people of both countries.

2. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the flag-raising ceremony for two Kilo-class submarines.

The Prime Minister reviews the honor guard.

On the morning of February 28th, at the Cam Ranh military base (Khanh Hoa province), the Vietnam Navy held a flag-raising ceremony for two Kilo 636 submarines, numbered 186 Da Nang and 187 Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and representatives from many central ministries and agencies, the two localities of Da Nang and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and units of the Navy attended this flag-raising ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized: Although the country's resources are limited, with the attention of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, along with the modernization of some other forces, the Navy is prioritized for modernization to become the core force in firmly protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands.

In recent years, the Navy has developed significantly in both organizational structure and weaponry, including a modern submarine force with high combat capabilities. From 2014 to the present, we have commissioned four submarines: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Khanh Hoa. Currently, two more submarines, Da Nang and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, have officially joined the 189th Submarine Brigade to carry out training and combat readiness missions...

3. Regular Government Meeting, February 2017

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a directive speech at the regular Government meeting in February. Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA

On the morning of March 1st, the Government held its regular monthly meeting for February, chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The meeting aimed to provide an overview of the socio-economic situation in February, the first month after the Lunar New Year of the Rooster 2017, with many issues related to institutional building, discipline, public service order, and other social welfare issues.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc noted that immediately after the Lunar New Year, agencies from the central to local levels quickly began implementing socio-economic tasks for 2017, eliminating the situation of "January being a month for leisure." The Prime Minister assessed that the post-Tet situation was quite positive, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, strengthening people's confidence, and contributing to the overall prestige of the Party, State, and Government leaders.

The Prime Minister stated that while assessments and forecasts from international agencies and organizations suggest that Vietnam's economy will continue its relatively strong growth trajectory, none have predicted that Vietnam's economy will reach 6.7% in 2017. This poses a challenge to the country's socio-economic management and administration, the Prime Minister said. Commending the fact that ministries, departments, and localities have strictly enforced regulations regarding the organization of festivals and celebrations after the Lunar New Year, the Prime Minister noted that spring festivals have been managed more effectively than in previous years, minimizing the occurrence of offensive activities.

4. Strictly address the violations committed by Mr. Nguyen Minh Quang and Mr. Vo Kim Cu.

Mr. Vo Kim Cu and Mr. Nguyen Minh Quang.

At the government press conference on the afternoon of March 1st, regarding the conclusions of the Central Inspection Committee on the responsibility of some former leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the Formosa incident, Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said that, following the announcement of the Central Inspection Committee, and in accordance with the General Secretary's directive, the Government has conducted a very serious review of organizations and individuals with violations related to Formosa's wastewater discharge affecting four central provinces.

Accordingly, the agencies have acted very seriously. The Party Committee of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has conducted a thorough review, clarified responsibilities, and transferred the files to the Central Inspection Committee. Simultaneously, the conclusions regarding the violations committed by the organizations and individuals under review have been announced, and this has been met with public approval. In other words, as the General Secretary affirmed, "there are no exceptions, no forbidden zones."

"The notification of shortcomings by former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang, former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Vo Kim Cu, and a number of other officials continues to be carried out according to proper procedures. The Prime Minister's directive is to continue implementing the contents as instructed by the General Secretary, which is to review and reconsider the contents within the authority and responsibility of agencies, organizations, and individuals, and if violations are found, they will be considered and handled according to the law."

Minister Mai Tien Dung also added that the relevant authorities are continuing to review this issue, and after the Central Disciplinary Committee concludes its investigation, action will be taken from an administrative perspective.

5. Expel the former Principal and Vice-Principal of Nam Trung Yen School from the Party.

The child suffered a broken leg after being hit by a taxi at Nam Trung Yen Primary School.

The Cau Giay District Party Committee Office has just announced the review and disciplinary action against Party members related to the incident where the principal and vice-principal of Nam Trung Yen Primary School (Hanoi) were in a vehicle that caused an accident involving students in the schoolyard, but then denied responsibility.

Following the Party's disciplinary recommendations against Ms. Ta Thi Bich Ngoc, Party branch secretary and former principal, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, former vice-principal of Nam Trung Yen Primary School, the District Party Committee's Standing Committee directed a review and disciplinary action against the two individuals. On February 28th, the decision was issued, expelling both Ms. Ngoc and Ms. Huong from the Party.

Earlier on February 20th, the People's Committee of Cau Giay District held a meeting and unanimously agreed to dismiss Ms. Ngoc and Ms. Huong from their positions as Principal and Vice-Principal of Nam Trung Yen Primary School.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, stated that the two teachers acted dishonestly and violated regulations by instructing security guards to open the gate for cars despite the school's strict prohibition against allowing vehicles into the school grounds. This was the cause of the incident, affecting the mental and physical well-being of Tran Chi Kien. Their attempts at justification and false reporting have eroded the trust of parents and students in the school, the education sector in Hanoi, and the entire country.

6. House fire kills 4 people in Binh Duong.

The scene of the fire.

The fire occurred at approximately 1:00 AM on February 26th at a house located in an alley off 30-4 Street, in Ward 2, Phu Hoa Commune, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province. The affected house is situated in the city center, about 1km from the Go Dau Stadium roundabout.

At the time of the incident, residents saw flames rising from the house and immediately notified the authorities, who arrived at the scene.

Upon breaking down the door, authorities discovered a tragic scene: four victims had been burned to death in different locations within the house. The body of a young girl was found near the entrance, the woman and another child near the bedroom, and the man's body near the staircase.

7. Ha Van Tham and 47 co-defendants stand trial.

Ha Van Tham appears in court.

On the morning of February 27th, the Hanoi People's Court opened the first-instance trial of defendant Ha Van Tham, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ocean Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Oceanbank), along with 47 other defendants prosecuted for the crimes of: "Violating regulations on lending in the activities of credit institutions," "Abusing position and power while performing official duties," and "Intentionally violating State regulations on economic management causing serious consequences."

The trial panel consisted of five members: two judges and three people's assessors, along with more than 30 lawyers who defended the rights and obligations of the defendants during the 20-day trial.

In this case, the court summoned and brought Pham Cong Danh (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Construction Commercial Joint Stock Bank) from Ho Chi Minh City to attend as a person with related rights and obligations.

In this case, Ha Van Tham and 47 accomplices were prosecuted for violating regulations on lending in the operations of credit institutions, abusing their positions and authority while performing official duties, and intentionally violating state regulations on economic management. Authorities determined that the total amount of money lost by Oceanbank was over 1,500 billion VND.

8. Ho Chi Minh City simultaneously 'reclaims sidewalks' for pedestrians.

Binh Tan District launches campaign to clear sidewalk encroachments.

Following District 1's resolute crackdown on sidewalk encroachment, other districts and areas in Ho Chi Minh City have simultaneously launched campaigns to restore urban order.

Recently, Mr. Doan Ngoc Hai – Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of District 1 – has frequently led forces to address the encroachment on sidewalks and roads. Public buildings encroaching on sidewalks have been demolished. Many government vehicles carrying city officials to meetings or late-night drinking sessions parked on sidewalks have also been penalized. Vehicles with license plates 80B and 80M have been towed to the headquarters. Restaurants and bars encroaching on sidewalks have also been fined.

To realize the dream of transforming District 1 into a "miniature Singapore," the Vice Chairman of District 1 once declared he was "not afraid to confront issues" and "would resign and retire" if he could not thoroughly address the problem of encroachment on sidewalks and roads.

During the meeting, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong praised the decisive actions of the District 1 leaders. He criticized other districts for being "slow," and urged local leaders to "not just sit at their desks giving orders" but to directly address sidewalk encroachment issues, as District 1 has done.

Peace

(Synthetic)