1956 vietnam election

Myanmar is experiencing political instability after its army seized power and detained government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership last month. Protests have broken out nationwide and at least 50 people have been killed. Hunter Marston, a PhD researcher with the Australian National University, said that "Vietnam can play a constructive role within ASEAN to encourage Myanmar to return to stability and release political prisoners." He said Vietnam, chair of ASEAN last year, has shown that it values the rule of law, international peace and stability. Tear gas and fire extinguisher gas float around demonstrators during a protest against the military coup in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 8, 2021. Photo by Reuters. According to Marston, ASEAN might not really push for a diplomatic solution to Myanmar but the association could play an important role in negotiations with other countries that are capable of forcing the military to negotiate with the elected government and protesters. Among these, the key countries are Japan, Australia, and China. Australia could push for a diplomatic solution because it has some communication with Myanmar’s military and may not adopt widespread sanctions like the U.S. Japan has a long history of providing aid and assistance to Myanmar, despite repeated military coups in the past, so Japan is a trusted partner and a major investor with a lot of influence over the country. China is probably the most important country for Myanmar's military, and is likely to take a more active approach this time to pushing the military towards return to democracy. Marston said he expected to see the key countries act together, sit down with Myanmar's military generals and tell them that they need to restore democracy for peace in the country, failing which these countries will stop trading or investing in the country. "Speaking with one voice, those external parties can influence Myanmar's military thinking." He …

[Read more...] about Vietnam can use diplomatic clout in addressing Myanmar crisis: experts

The Hanoitimes - Suga continues the predecessor's foreign policy which is based on the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan’s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is planning to visit Vietnam and Indonesia around mid-October, Nikkei Asia has reported. Japan has traditionally emphasized ties with Vietnam. Source photos by Reuters and Nikkei It will be Suga’s first overseas trip since taking office earlier this month. Mr. Suga would not make the final decision on whether to travel until after examining the coronavirus status at home and in the destinations. Vietnam has succeeded in containing the pandemic after going more than three weeks without locally-transmitted cases. He is expected to focus on resuming international travel at talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Japan is already in talks with Vietnam about easing restrictions on business travel between the countries which have already reopened borders to expatriates. Mr. Suga also wants to coordinate efforts with Vietnam and Indonesia regarding the South China Sea, as US-China military and economic tensions continue to heat up, Nikkei Asia reported, adding that Japan will likely try to appeal to ASEAN partners about securing regional stability in a bid to curb China’s growing regional ambitions. The new Japanese prime minister is continuing the foreign policy of his predeccesor Abe Shinzo, which is based on the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” It aims to strengthen deterrence against China by advocating the importance of democracy and other values, like the rule of law. Vietnam and Indonesia are known for their friendly ties with Tokyo and Japan has traditionally emphasized its relationship with the two Southeast Asian countries. After inaugurating his second administration in 2012, Mr. Abe also picked up these two nations for his first overseas trip. This year, Vietnam is ASEAN chair while Indonesia …

[Read more...] about Vietnam, Indonesia destined for Suga’s first overseas trip as Japan’s PM

The Hanoitimes - Whoever succeeds Abe Shinzo, the two nations have ample reasons to widen and deepen their cooperation across a host of domains. Vietnam wishes to enhance the relationship with Japan to take the strategic partnership to a new height, a spokesperson said after the election of Japan’s new cabinet. Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. Photo: EPA “Vietnam always attaches importance to the friendship with Japan and wishes to enhance the cooperation with the new PM and the new cabinet to take the comprehensive and substantive strategic partnership to a new height for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world,” Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Vietnam's top leaders have sent messages of congratulation to Japan's new cabinet members in a gesture to “appreciate the friendship with Japan”. On September 16, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc congratulated Mr. Suga Yoshihide after the latter was elected as Japan’s new prime minister after his predecessor stepped down due to illness. One day earlier, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President Nguyen Phu Trong also sent a message of congratulations to Mr. Suga for winning the leadership of Japan’s ruling party Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also congratulated his Japanese counterpart for the position in the new cabinet. Khang Vu, Hanoi born and raised PhD student at Boston College, said Abe is the most popular Japanese politician in Vietnam for his efforts to elevate the bilateral defense relations. His resignation will be felt across Vietnam. Hanh Nguyen, who is taking an MA at International Christian University, Tokyo, writes for The Diplomat that whoever succeeds Abe Shinzo, the two nations have ample reasons to widen and deepen their …

[Read more...] about Vietnam expects to lift up ties with Japan after Abe’s resignation