I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son pays a visit to Russia (25-28 September 2021)

At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation from 25 to 28 September 2021.

The visit aims at further strengthening the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Russia in many areas, such as economy and trade, national defense, security and military technical cooperation, particularly in COVID-19 combat and prevention.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He will also meet with Russian high-level leaders to discuss cooperation between the two countries, international and regional issues of mutual interest, and share experiences in COVID-19 prevention and combat.

2. Some information on upcoming ASEAN events

On 27 September 2021, the 7^th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Public Health Emergencies will take place via videoconference. The meeting will provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in the region, and discuss measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and further implement ASEAN’s COVID-19 initiatives.

Next, on 30 September 2021, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting will be held via videoconference. The meeting will review cooperation in building the ASEAN Community, particularly priorities in 2021, discuss emerging issues and preparations for the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, and Summits between ASEAN and partners which are expected to be held virtually from 26 to 28 October 2021.

Before that, on 22 September 2021, the ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting took place. The meeting discussed measures to enhance coordination on ASEAN’s 3 pillars of cooperation and preparations for ASEAN Summits.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Viet Nam’s SOM led the Vietnamese delegation participating in this meeting.

3. The Viet Nam - Serbia Deputy Foreign Ministerial political consultation

On 30 September 2021, the Deputy Foreign Ministerial political consultation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and Serbia will be held via videoconference. The meeting aims to enhance cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries and strengthen the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Serbia in politics - diplomacy, trade - economy, national defense, labor, cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and combat, and cooperation at international forums.

Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung will co-chair the consultation.

II. Q&A

1. Trí thức trẻ: What is Viet Nam’s comment on the new enhanced trilateral partnership between the US, the UK, and Australia?

Viet Nam always closely follows the developments in the region with keen interest. We believe that peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world is a common goal of every country, and countries have the responsibility to contribute to this goal.

2. Trí thức trẻ: Recently, a scholar named Bill Hayton revealed a letter dated to the Qing dynasty which claimed that the Paracel islands were a part of the high seas and not under China’s sovereignty. What is your comment on this discovery?

As reiterated on numerous occasions, Viet Nam has full legal basis and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty towards the Paracel and Spratly islands in accordance with international law.

The document discovered by scholar Bill Hayton affirms this.

3. Zing: What is Viet Nam’s comment on Australia’s pursuit of nuclear submarine technologies?

Our stance is that the development and usage of nuclear energy must serve peaceful purposes and the socio-economic development of countries. It must also ensure absolute safety for humans and the environment.

4. Zing: What is your comment on the EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific which was announced on 16 September?

Viet Nam highly appreciates the role and the active contributions of the European Union to peace, cooperation and development in the region.

On the basis of the Partnership and the Comprehensive Cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU, Viet Nam stands ready to cooperate with the EU to implement cooperation mechanisms of mutual interest, promote ASEAN’s centrality, strengthen the Asia - Europe partnership, and the Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and EU, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

5. Zing: What is your comment on China’s request to accede to the CPTPP?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an open free trade agreement, with comprehensive commitments to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between member economies.

The fact that the CPTPP is attracting the attention of other economies that wish to join shows the increasing role of the agreement in promoting cooperation and economic connectivity, and regional and international trade.

According to the regulations and procedures, economies wishing to join must satisfy the criteria of the agreement and follow the procedures for accession of new members. Viet Nam stands ready to share information and experiences in the CPTPP with economies that wish to join this agreement.

6. Zing: On 18 September, China’s South Sea Fleet revealed that they have sent Y-20 military transport aircrafts to Mischief Reef, Subi Reef, and the Fiery Cross Reef, which are a part of Viet Nam’s Spratly islands, to bring their stationed troops back to the mainland. Can you provide your comments on this?

Vietnamese competent authorities are closely following the developments in the South China Sea.

I would like to reiterate that Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert sovereign rights toward the Paracel and Spratly islands in accordance with international law. This act by China violates Viet Nam’s sovereignty towards the Spratly islands, violates international law, and goes against the Agreement on basic principles guiding maritime issues between Viet Nam and China. It has also increased military presence, which goes against the Declaration of Conduct for parties in the South China Sea, and countries’ current efforts in negotiating the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Viet Nam requests that China respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty toward the Paracel and Spratly islands, to cease immediately and to not repeat similar actions, respect international law and common awareness of both countries’ leaders on maritime issues, to actively and responsibly contribute to developing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and China, and to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the South China sea.

7. Phoenix: After China’s submission of an official request to accede to the CPTPP, Chinese Taipei also announced that they had requested to accede to this Agreement. What is Viet Nam’s response to this?

As I have mentioned, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an open free trade agreement. CPTPP members have also agreed on the regulations regarding the States and separate customs territory, criteria, and procedures for accession. Viet Nam will closely consult with the other CPTPP members on these requests for accession.

8. The World & Viet Nam Report: What is Viet Nam’s reaction to Freedom House’s report on 21 September listing Viet Nam among countries which are Not Free in Freedom on the Net?

This is not the first time that Freedom House has given unobjective assessments on Viet Nam based on incorrect information and prejudices about Viet Nam. In reality, the efforts to promote and ensure human rights in Viet Nam have been highly regarded by countries and international organizations in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations through various periods.

Thus, Freedom House’s report is invalid, and there is no need for further comment on this.