Outstanding international events of the past week

(Baonghean.vn) - US President Donald Trump speaks before Congress for the first time; Malaysia tries two female suspects in the Kim Jong-nam case; 5 Samsung Group leaders will be convicted of bribery and embezzlement;China: Opening of the National Conference of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference;... are notable international events last week.

1. US President Donald Trump speaks before Congress for the first time

On the morning of March 1, Vietnam time, US President Donald Trump delivered his first speech before Congress, addressing many domestic and foreign issues of the US. Photo: Reuters.

On the morning of March 1, more than a month after taking office, US President Donald Trump gave his first speech before the US Congress.

Although this is not an official State of the Union address, Mr. Trump's first speech to the US Congress has attracted the attention of the world media.

In his speech, Mr. Trump emphasized the goals and policies that need to be completed in the coming year, including economic, immigration, national security and foreign affairs policies.

In the first part of his speech, Mr. Trump sent a proud message to the American people: “Generations of Americans who came before us passed the torch of integrity, freedom, and justice to this generation. And now, that torch is in our hands. We will use this torch to light up the world.”

2. Malaysia tries two female suspects in Kim Jong-nam case

Suspect Doan Thi Huong. (Photo: New Straits Times)

On the morning of March 1, a Malaysian court began the trial of two female suspects, Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese national, and Siti Aisyah, an Indonesian national, in connection with the murder of a North Korean citizen.

According to The Star, security was tightened about 10 minutes before the trial of two female suspects in the Kim Jong-nam case took place. Malaysian police mobilized 199 officers and staff to stabilize the situation in the area.

Several reporters were present at the courthouse as early as 5 a.m., but were not allowed inside.

Reporters attending the trial were required to register their information and hand over personal belongings such as phones, laptops and recording devices. Bags were also strictly checked before being brought into the area.

3. President Park Geun-hye was identified as a corruption suspect.

President Park Geun-hye.

Impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been identified as a corruption suspect, South Korean special prosecutors said on February 28.

The announcement concludes a four-month investigation into the scandal surrounding the leader.

Speaking at a press conference, special prosecutors' spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said prosecutors determined that Ms. Park colluded with her longtime friend, Ms. Choi Soon-sil, to receive bribes from Samsung - South Korea's largest economic group - in exchange for preferential treatment for her activities.

However, Ms Park, who is currently awaiting a Constitutional Court ruling on her December 2016 impeachment by the National Assembly, will not face immediate charges thanks to provisions granting a sitting president immunity from prosecution.

4. China: Opening of the National Conference of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

The 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened its 5th session.

On the afternoon of March 3, in Beijing, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - China's highest political consultative and advisory body - opened its 5th annual plenary session of the 12th term.

General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng and many other senior Chinese officials attended the opening ceremony.

At the opening session, on behalf of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the CPPCC, reported on the work situation in 2016 to the conference.

Regarding the key tasks of work in 2017, Mr. Du Zhengqing emphasized: "2017 is an important year in the 13th five-year socio-economic development plan, the year of deepening structural reform and the year of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. We must thoroughly grasp the spirit of the 3rd, 4th, 5th Central Conferences and the 6th Central Conference; thoroughly grasp the important instructions and new viewpoints, new ideas, new strategies in state management of General Secretary Xi Jinping; Political Consultative Conference work needs to: focus on ideological orientation, mobilize resources, promote sustainable economic development, social harmony and stability, and make achievements to celebrate the victory of the 19th Congress".

5. Will the US Attorney General have to resign because of his contact with the Russian Ambassador?

US Attorney General Sessions. Photo: AP

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is facing the threat of resigning and being investigated for dishonesty in his contact with the Russian Ambassador. If this happens, Mr. Sessions will become the second key official in the US Government Cabinet to resign in less than 2 months since US President Donald Trump was sworn in.

Trouble has arisen for US Attorney General Sessions since the Washington Post on March 2 revealed that Mr. Sessions had two conversations with the Russian Ambassador in July and September 2016 when he was a Senator, but he did not mention this during his confirmation hearing in January at the Senate before being approved as Attorney General.

During the hearing, when asked about Russia, Mr. Sessions replied that he “had no connection whatsoever with the Russians.” The article also said that at the time of Mr. Trump’s election campaign, Mr. Sessions was a Senator, an official adviser on foreign policy and other issues for Mr. Trump’s campaign.

Immediately after the article was published, the Democratic Party reacted very harshly. In a statement, Representative Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, said that Mr. Sessions' lying under oath before Congress was unacceptable and called for his immediate resignation.

6. British House of Lords asks Government to amend Brexit bill

The Brexit process is considered not easy. (Photo: AP)

On March 1, the British House of Lords passed a request for the British Government to amend the Brexit bill with 358 votes in favor and 256 votes against.

Members of the House of Lords have asked Prime Minister Theresa May to include in the bill a provision ensuring that European Union (EU) citizens living in the UK have the right to continue living and working in the UK after Brexit.

The Brexit Bill is a bill that gives Prime Minister Theresa May the power to trigger Brexit under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin formal negotiations with the European Union.

Before the vote in the House of Lords, the British Government made great efforts to persuade MPs not to propose changes to the Government's draft Brexit law.

With the result of the vote in the House of Lords, Prime Minister Theresa May will have to try to convince the House of Commons again next week. This means that Article 50 cannot be triggered in the next 2 weeks, although the British Prime Minister will still be able to carry out the plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March as she told the leaders of the European Union countries.

7. China - South Korea: Risk of economic war over THAAD?

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. (Photo: Yonhap)

Relations between China and South Korea are facing a new level of tension amid reports that China is restricting its citizens from traveling to South Korea in retaliation for the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea.

This travel restriction will be bad news for the smokeless industry of the land of Kim Chi, which welcomed up to 8 million Chinese tourists to visit in 2016.

The Financial Times of the UK quoted an official from the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Mr. Wang Ki-young, as saying on March 3 that travel agencies in Beijing have been ordered to stop selling tours to South Korea from mid-March and that the move will be extended to other parts of China. If implemented, this could be a big loss for the South Korean tourism industry.

Immediately reacting to this information, in a latest statement, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said that it would be “extremely regrettable” if China banned its citizens from traveling to South Korea, and emphasized that any action that hinders exchanges between the two countries’ people – the basis for bilateral relations – is “something that should not be done”.

Acting President and Prime Minister of South Korea Hwang Kyo-Ahn affirmed that the South Korean government will continue to monitor all upcoming moves of China.

8. Government forces recapture Palmyra: Breakthrough on the Syrian battlefield

Syrian army tanks move in to liberate Palmyra. Photo: Reuters

The Syrian army announced on March 2 that it had regained control of the ancient city of Palmyra from IS for the second time in the past year. This is considered a major step forward for the Syrian army in pushing IS out of the country's territory, while also contributing to encouraging peace negotiations in Syria to soon bring results, ending the 7-year civil war in this country.

In a statement, the Syrian army, with support from the Russian Air Force and cooperation from its allies, regained control of the ancient city of Palmyra. The Syrian army and allied forces advanced deep into the city after IS withdrew its fighters from there.

Speaking to the press, the Syrian military spokesman emphasized: "With the support of the Syrian and Russian air forces, armed units and allied forces have regained control of the city of Palmyra and surrounding areas after repelling IS, which is suffering heavy losses on the Syrian battlefield."

Earlier, the Kremlin also confirmed that the Syrian army, backed by Russian warplanes, had completed the recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra from IS. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had informed President Vladimir Putin of this information.

The recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra is considered a major step forward in pushing IS out of Syrian territory. According to analysts, the ancient city of Palmyra is considered the key to opening the way for the Syrian army to attack the city of Raqqa, the area considered the capital of the self-proclaimed IS in eastern Syria.

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