Q&A

1. Zing: Could you give more information about the virtual conference between the ASEAN Defense Minister and the US Secretary of Defense on the sidelines of the Rim of Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC)?

This is a proposal from the US side and ASEAN is currently consulting related parties about this proposal.

2. Phoenix TV: Please update the situation of 18 Vietnamese fishermen arrested in Malaysia in the incident that one Vietnamese fisherman was killed?

On 18 August 2020, Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam has exchanged and handed the diplomatic note to the Malaysian Embassy to Viet Nam expressing deep concerns about this serious incident, requested Malaysian authorities to investigate, clarify the case, strictly punish public service personnel who killed the Vietnamese fisherman and not allow similar acts to happen again. At the same time, Viet Nam asks Malaysia to ensure humane treatment for the fishermen on the seized boats, handle issues related to Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels in the spirit of humaneness, friendship and international law, especially given the two countries’ strategic partnership and both being members of the Asean Community.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also instructed the Vietnamese Embassy to Malaysia to work with Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and requested Malaysian authorities to provide specific information on the case, facilitate Vietnamese Embassy to make consular visits to the detained citizens and carry out citizen protection measures for the dead fisherman.

3. Phoenix TV: Could you update the situation of 3 fishing vessels from Khanh Hoa province, that were detained by Indonesia on 10/08? Khanh Hoa province authorities informed that those fishing vessels were detained while operating within Vietnamese water?

I understand that your question is about the case of 3 fishing vessels of Khanh Hoa province with 26 fishermen being detained by Indonesia. Regarding this case, after being notified of the incident and instructed by the MOFA, Viet Nam’s Embassy to Indonesia has immediately contacted Indonesian local authorities to clarify and verify information about the case, requested the Indonesian side to officially inform the investigation results to Viet Nam at the soonest time. The Embassy stands ready to implement citizens protection measures.

According to the information provided by Indonesia, 03 fishing vessels of Viet Nam of which registeration number are respectively KH 98168 TS, KH 91558 TS, and KH 95758 TS together with 26 fishermen are being taken to the facility of The Directorate General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance in Pontianak, Indonesia for investigation on alleged illegal fishing and usage of fishing equipments banned by Indonesia.

The MOFA also requested domestic authorities of Viet Nam to clarify personal information of detained fishermen so that the competent authorities can coordinate and implement citizens protection measures.

4. Phoenix TV: How did Viet Nam and the US cooperate to solve the case that some Vietnamese citizens scam people in the US to purchase hand sanitizers on the Internet? Does Viet Nam have any measures to prevent the fraud acts amidst the scene of Covid-19?

According to Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security and the US side, Ha Noi city’s Public Security and other departments of the Ministry of Public Security have prosecuted and detained four Vietnamese people on property scam. Viet Nam’s competent authorities are currently expanding investigation and shall process the case in line with the regulations of the Vietnamese laws. Vietnamese Government is determined to prevent and strictly tackle with commerce fraud acts.

Viet Nam highly appreciates the cooperation of the US’s competent authorities in this case.

5. VnExpress: How is current health situation of the detained fishermen?

As said, we are requesting the Malaysian side to facilitate representative of the Vietnamese Embassy to Malaysia to make consular visit to Vietnamese fishermen. We will soon provide updates on the fishermen’s situation once the visit is made.

6. VN Express: China is believed to send H6J bomber to Woody island, Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in early August. What is Viet Nam’s reaction?

Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos are reiterated to be inseparable parts of Viet Nam’s territory. Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in accordance with international law.

The fact that related parties deploy weapons as well as send bombers to Hoang Sa archipelago not only violates Viet Nam’s sovereignty but also complicates the situation in East Sea.

We would like to call upon all related parties to contribute to the maintainance of peace, security and stability in East Sea.

7. VTC: Please update on the repatriation flight for Vietnamese citizens in Uzbekistan?

Vietnamese competent authorities and Vietnamese Embassy in Russia in charge of Uzbekistan are closely cooperating with Uzbekistan authorities to facilitate repatriation flight for Vietnamese citizens in Uzbekistan in the soonest time in order to meet citizens’ wishes, as well as in accordance with domestic pandemic situation and capacity of quarantine facilities.

8. VTC News: What is your comment regarding the information that thousands of Chinese fishing vessels may sail down to East Sea after the fishing bans are lifted and whether there is a mechanism to prevent conflicts between Vietnamese fishing vessels and Chinese ones?

Viet Nam’s position on the so-called “fishing ban in East Sea” is clearly stated many times.

9. VTC: Please update on the cause of Vietnamese fishermen being shot in the collision with Malaysian Coast Guard? When will the incident be under investigation?

Registration numbers of two fishing vessels are confirmed after our communication with the Malaysian side. Vietnamese authorities and Viet Nam’s Embassy to Malaysia are keeping close contact with the Malaysian side for the incident’s detailed information. Viet Nam also pushes Malaysia to facilitate representatives of Viet Nam’s Embassy to directly make consular visits to the detained Vietnamese fishermen to obtain further information from them.

10. Dan Tri: China is said to open its dam’s floodgates towards the Red River of Viet Nam, threatening Viet Nam’s downstream area. Please inform if there is any diplomacy mechanism by which Viet Nam can communicate with the Chinese side about this matter?

As far as I am concerned, Chinese Foreign Affairs Department has informed the Vietnamese counterpart on this issue./ .