Outstanding events in the country last week

(Baonghean.vn) -Merry Christmas 2016;Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen paid an official visit to Vietnam;5th Session, National Assembly Standing Committee;Directive of the Secretariat on organizing Lunar New Year 2017;Politburo: Strictly prohibit parties when promoted or appointed;Horrific landslide in Nha Trang;... are prominent events in the country last week.

1. Merry Christmas 2016

President Tran Dai Quang visited, talked and congratulated Catholics at the Cathedral Parish, Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City

On the occasion of Christmas 2016, leaders of Provincial Party Committees, People's Councils, and People's Committees of localities across the country visited and congratulated Catholic dignitaries and compatriots in the area.

At the places visited, the delegations sent greetings to the priests and all parishioners for a joyful, peaceful and happy Christmas; highly appreciated and praised Catholics and Protestants for actively implementing the movements of "living a good life, loving religion" and "respecting God and loving the country".

On the afternoon of December 23, President Tran Dai Quang visited and congratulated the Cathedral Parish, Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City.

1. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen paid an official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Hun Sen reviewed the honor guard at the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace on the morning of December 20.

The visit took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. This is the second official visit to Vietnam since Mr. Hun Sen was reappointed as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in September 2013.

In October 2016, Mr. Hun Sen came to Hanoi to attend multilateral conferences including the 7th Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 7), the 8th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam Cooperation Summit (CLMV 8) and the World Economic Forum on the Mekong region (WEF - Mekong).

In 2017, Vietnam and Cambodia will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As planned, to mark this important event, the leaders of the two countries will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Long Binh (An Giang) - Chrey Thom (Kandal) bridge early next year.

3. 5th Session, National Assembly Standing Committee

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers the opening speech. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA) closing the 5th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee.

On the morning of December 19, at the National Assembly House, the National Assembly Standing Committee, the 14th National Assembly opened its 5th session. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh attended.

In her opening speech, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that the 5th Session focused on the following contents: Listening to the Government report on the implementation of Resolution 1052/NQ-UBTVQH13 dated October 24, 2015 on a number of orientations, tasks and solutions to promote the process of international economic integration.

The report on the implementation of Resolution No. 1052/NQ-UBTVQH13 of the Government assessed that after one year of implementing the Resolution, ministries and branches have made efforts in implementing the main tasks and solutions set out. After 4 working days, the meeting closed on December 22, 2016.

4. Directive of the Secretariat on organizing Lunar New Year 2017

The Secretariat requested that localities not set off fireworks during Tet.

To prepare well the conditions for people to enjoy the spring, celebrate the New Year 2017 joyfully, healthily, safely, economically, contributing to the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, the Resolution of the 4th Conference of the 12th Central Executive Committee on strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the degradation of political ideology, morality, lifestyle, manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party, Directive No. 05-CT/TW, dated May 15, 2016 of the 12th Politburo on promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle.

The Secretariat requested Party committees, Party organizations, authorities, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations to focus on leading, directing, and performing well a number of tasks, including: Localities not setting off fireworks during Tet; allocating time and funds to take care of Tet for the poor, disadvantaged, and policy families. Strengthen inspection, promptly prevent negative manifestations, and strictly handle organizations and individuals who violate regulations on using the budget, means, and public assets for activities during Tet and festivals...

5. Recognition of 14 national treasures

The Thang Long Temple of Literature's doctoral stele consists of 82 stone steles, erected from 1484 (Hong Duc 15th year) to 1780 (Canh Hung 41st year), engraved with the stele texts naming the Vietnamese Confucian doctors of the royal examinations from 1442 (Dai Bao 3rd year) to 1779 (Canh Hung 40th year).

The Prime Minister decided to recognize national treasures (5th batch, 2016) for 14 artifacts, the group of artifacts includes: Linga - Yoni statue, Tra Lien relief 1, Tra Lien relief 2, Brahama God relief, Brown ceramic flower statue, "Thanh Mai Vien Thong tower stele", King Le Thai To stele, "Dai Viet Lam Son Chieu Lang stele", Pair of bells of Da Quan pagoda - also known as Vien Minh pagoda, Statues of Zen master Vu Khac Minh and Zen master Vu Khac Truong, Statue of Tran Vu at Quan Thanh temple, Nine-grade Lotus Flower of Dong Ngo pagoda, Golden seal "Dai Viet nation Nguyen lord eternally guards the treasure", Collection of Decrees of the President of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam 1945-1946.

The Prime Minister requests the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels where national treasures are located, within the scope of their duties and powers, to manage national treasures in accordance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage.

6. The Politburo calls for an end to parties, extravagance, and waste.

Illustration photo.

The Politburo issued six regulations, which strictly prohibit the use of organizing exchanges, parties, meetings, and congratulations before, during, and after each congress, conference, session, or rally, traditional anniversaries, opening and closing ceremonies, or when cadres are promoted, appointed, promoted, transferred, or transferred to other jobs... to eat, "party", give, or receive gifts, with the motive of profit.

The organization of weddings, funerals, death anniversaries, New Year's Eve, and birthdays must be simple, economical, and ensure a new cultural lifestyle in accordance with the regulations of the Party and the State; in accordance with the fine customs and traditions and cultural identity of the nation.

Strictly prohibit taking advantage of "giving gifts" or giving gifts with ulterior motives. Immediately put an end to the situation of eating, drinking, and "drinking" lavishly, wastefully, causing negative reactions in public opinion.

When a working delegation arrives, localities, agencies, units and establishments must strictly implement the Party and State's regulations on reception and working regimes; do not organize shuttle buses, banners, lay out carpets, give gifts and organize wasteful meals.

7. Activities to celebrate the founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army

Illustration photo.

On the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 27th anniversary of National Defense Day, many practical and meaningful activities were organized in many provinces and cities across the country.

Former Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet, Truong Tan Sang, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung... who worked in War Zone D and the Central Office for Southern Vietnam during the resistance years visited the relic of the Southeast Regional Party Committee Base in Hieu Liem Commune, Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province.

Comrade Nguyen Thien Nhan, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front visited and congratulated officers and soldiers working at Division 9 - Corps 4 (Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City). Comrade Truong Thi Mai, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Mass Mobilization Commission visited and congratulated leaders, officers and soldiers of the Military Region 9 Command.

8. Horrific landslide in Nha Trang

Horrific landslide in Nha Trang city, 4 people died, 3 people were seriously injured.

In the early morning of December 20, a serious landslide occurred on the Green Mountain in Phuoc Loc village, Phuoc Dong commune, Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa), burying 6 houses completely and partially collapsing 5 other houses, killing 4 people and seriously injuring 3 others. The incident happened at around 2:00 a.m. on December 20. At that time, everyone was sleeping and did not have time to react.

Locals said they had been living under the “shadow” of Green Mountain since 1975, but at that time their houses were far from the foot of the mountain. Later, as more and more people settled there, the residential area was only about 100 meters from the foot of the mountain. Mr. Dao Cong Thien, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, said this was a “historic” landslide because it had never happened before in Nha Trang.

9. Inauguration of Lai Chau Hydropower Project

Lai Chau Hydropower Plant was officially completed after about 2,100 days of construction.

On December 20, 2016, in Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province, Vietnam Electricity Group held the Inauguration Ceremony of Lai Chau Hydropower Project, completing 1 year ahead of schedule compared to the Resolution of the National Assembly.

Lai Chau Hydropower Project with a total investment of 35,700 billion VND is a special construction project and the third largest hydropower project built on the Da River, connected with Son La Hydropower Plant and Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant. The main task of the Project is to supply electricity to the national power system with an average annual output of about 4.7 billion kWh; prevent floods in the rainy season, supply water in the dry season for the Northern Delta and contribute to the socio-economic development of the Northwest region.

10. Appeal trial of major economic case occurring at Agribank

Defendant Pham Thi Bich Luong at the first instance trial.

On December 16, the High Court in Hanoi will bring the major economic case that caused a loss of nearly VND2,500 billion at Agribank to trial under the appeal procedure. Judge Nguyen Vinh Quang has been assigned to preside over the trial.

In this case, defendant Pham Thi Bich Luong (born in 1969, from Nam Dinh) - former Director of Agribank Nam Ha Noi Branch was identified as the ringleader.

A series of high-ranking officials of Agribank were also involved in this case, including: Pham Thanh Tan (born in 1955, from Thai Binh) - former General Director of Agribank, Hoang Anh Tuan (born in 1962, from Nam Dinh) - former member of the Board of Directors of Agribank, Kieu Trong Tuyen - former Deputy General Director in charge of Agribank...

In addition, customs officers of the Ha Tay Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department), while performing their duties of inspecting and clearing imported goods of these subjects, committed irresponsible acts causing serious consequences.

The defendants were prosecuted for the crimes of: Violating regulations on lending by credit institutions; Abusing positions and powers while performing official duties; and Lack of responsibility causing serious consequences.

In this case, the former Director of the Agribank Nam Ha Noi Branch was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the court of first instance. The remaining 17 defendants were sentenced to between 30 months and 30 years in prison.

Peace

(Synthetic)