Carlyle A. Thayer, Emeritus Professor from the Australian Defence Force Academy talked about the deployment of eight batteries of what are reported to be part of China's HQ-9 air defence system in the Spratly Islands. "This is a demonstration that at short notice China can deploy similar systems in the Spratlys on the pretext of a threat from the United States, Thayer said. According to Thayer, up until now concerns by the United States and other countries about militarisation of the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) have focused on China's artificial islands in the East Sea. Woody Island in the Paracels has been militarised for quite some time. Its airfield was recently extended to 3,048m. Woody houses hangars and military aircraft. This past year the latest model J-11 BH/BHS jet fighters were deployed there. An off-shore island houses a major SIGINT base. Other photos that have appeared recently shows a marked step up in construction on two sites - North … [Read more...]
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Australian defence expert gives opinions on Chinese deployment of air defences on Spratly Islands
Carlyle A. Thayer, Emeritus Professor from the Australian Defence Force Academy talked about the deployment of eight batteries of what are reported to be part of China's HQ-9 air defence system in the Spratly Islands. Professor Carlyle A. Thayer, photo from the Australian Defence Force Academy. "This is a demonstration that at short notice China can deploy similar systems in the Spratlys on the pretext of a threat from the United States, Thayer said in an interview with DTiNews. According to Thayer, up until now concerns by the United States and other countries about militarisation of the South China Sea have focused on China's artificial islands in the South China Sea. Woody Island in the Paracels has been militarised for quite some time. Its airfield was recently extended to 3,048m. Woody houses hangars and military aircraft. This past year the latest model J-11 BH/BHS jet fighters were deployed there. An off-shore island houses a major SIGINT base. Other photos that have … [Read more...]
China blamed for escalating East Sea tensions
Military action a remote possibility, but quest for peaceful solutions weakened by Chinese aggression and obfuscation, experts say Traditional bamboo fishing boats on My Khe Beach in the central coastal city of Da Nang. Experts say China's recent actions, including the arrest of 21 Vietnamese fishermen on March 3, have worsened tensions in the East Sea. Photo: AFP … [Read more...]
GOVERNMENT NEWS IN BRIEF 3/9
Vietnam slams China's island oil bid call Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on August 31 protested against China's plan to invite international bids for oil block 65/12, about 3 nautical miles off Cay (Tree) Island of the country's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago." … [Read more...]
VN slams China’s island oil bid call
HA NOI ' "Viet Nam protests against China's plan to invite international bidding for oil block 65/12, about 3 nautical miles off Cay (Tree) Island of Viet Nam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi yesterday. Nghi was responding to media inquiries over China National Offshore Oil Corporation's call on Tuesday for international bidding for 26 oil and gas blocks, including the 65/12. Nghi said the action "had seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereignty towards Hoang Sa, gone against common sense of the two countries' high-level leaders and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002." … [Read more...]
Vietnam slams China’s island oil bid call
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on August 31 protested against China's plan to invite international bids for oil block 65/12, about 3 nautical miles off Cay (Tree) Island of the country's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.'" Vietnam protests Chinese oil company's move … [Read more...]
China blamed for escalating East Sea tensions
Military action a remote possibility, but quest for peaceful solutions weakened by Chinese aggression and obfuscation, experts say Traditional bamboo fishing boats on My Khe Beach in the central coastal city of Da Nang. Experts say China’s recent actions, including the arrest of 21 Vietnamese fishermen on March 3, have worsened tensions in the East Sea. China’s plan to publish a map that claims disputed regions and its aggressive actions of late have worsened tensions in the East Sea, also known as the South China Sea. But military actions are unlikely, experts say. On March 27, the South China Morning Post said China will publish a map of the South China Sea this year to “strengthen their claim to the disputed region.” The map is part of a national campaign involving a dozen ministries and the Chinese Communist Party's publicity department to help raise public awareness of the country's territories and safeguard its sovereignty in disputed areas, the … [Read more...]
VN asks China to respect sovereignty
HA NOI — Viet Nam has asked the Chinese side to respect the country's sovereignty and end all practices violating its control over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in order to maintain peace and stability on the East Sea. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi made the request yesterday in response to China's recent activities near Viet Nam's Hoang Sa Archipelago. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has recently offered oil and gas tenders for 19 lots in the northern part of the East Sea, including one only a single nautical mile from the Tree Island of the Hoang Sa Archipelago. On March 2, the Chinese Guard Ship Fleet No 11 conducted a live ammunition drill in the waters of the Hoang Sa Archipelago. At the fifth session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on March 7, the Deputy Director of the National Administration of Tourism of China (NATC) said his agency was co-operating with the authorities of Hainan … [Read more...]
VN asks China to end sovereignty violations
Vietnam asks the Chinese side to respect the country’s sovereignty and end all activities violating its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, making practical contributions to maintaining peace and stability on the East Sea . Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi. Photo: VNA Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi made the request on March 15 in response to the Chinese side’s recent activities over Vietnam ’s Hoang Sa ( Paracel) archipelago. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has recently offered oil and gas tenders for 19 lots in the north of the East Sea , including Lot 65/24, about one nautical mile from the Tree Island of the Hoang Sa archipelago. On March 2, the Guard Ship Fleet No. 11 of China conducted a live ammunition drill in the waters of the Hoang Sa archipelago. On March 7, at the fifth session of the 11 th National Committee of the Chinese People’s … [Read more...]
Vietnam protests China’s activities on Hoang Sa
Vietnam requests China to respect its territorial sovereignty and stop all activities that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on March 15. Chinashould stop violating Vietnam’s sovereignty: FM spokesman Recently, China continued to carry out activities at Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, specifically: Chinese Oil Company invited bids for 19 blocks in the northern East Sea, one nautical mile from the Tree Island of the Hoang Sa Archipelago. On March 2, China’s coast guard ship 11 conducted a drill on territorial waters belonging to Hoang Sa Archipelago. On March 7, Deputy Head of the China National Tourism Administration talked about cooperation between the administration and Hainan province’s administration in expanding tourism activities at the Hoang Sa Archipelago. The Chinese side also conducted a series of activities in violation of Vietnam’s … [Read more...]
Vietnam protests China’s activities in Hoang Sa area
Vietnam requests China to respect its territorial sovereignty and stop all activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on March 15. China should stop violating Vietnam's sovereignty: FM spokesman Recently, China continued to carry out activities in Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) area, specifically: The China National Offshore Oil Corporation invited bids for 19 lots in the northern East Sea, one nautical mile from the Tree Island of the Hoang Sa Archipelago. On March 2, China's Coast Guard Ship 11 conducted a live ammunition drill on territorial waters belonging to the Hoang Sa Archipelago. At the fifth session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on March 7, the Deputy Director of the National Administration of Tourism of China said his agency was cooperating with the authorities of Hainan province to expand tourist activities on the Hoang Sa … [Read more...]
Vietnam asks China to end sovereignty violations
Vietnam asks the Chinese side to respect the country’s sovereignty and end all activities violating its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, making practical contributions to maintaining peace and stability on the East Sea. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi. Photo: VNA Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi made the request on March 15 in response to the Chinese side’s recent activities over Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has recently offered oil and gas tenders for 19 lots in the north of the East Sea , including Lot 65/24, about one nautical mile from the Tree Island of the Hoang Sa archipelago. On March 2, the Guard Ship Fleet No. 11 of China conducted a live ammunition drill in the waters of the Hoang Sa archipelago. On March 7, at the fifth session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative … [Read more...]
Vietnam affirms sovereignty over archipelagoes
Vietnam affirms its undisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga. Nga made the statement in Hanoi on April 8 while answering reporters’ question on Vietnam’s response to information released by the Xinhua news agency on April 3 that China’s Hainan province defined Dao Cay (Tree Island) in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago, which is called Zhaoshudao in Chinese, as one of the key islands under its preservation, upgrading and building project in 2011. “All foreign activities in these two archipelagoes without Vietnam s permission constitute violations to the country’s sovereignty and have no value”, she stressed. The spokesperson said that Vietnam asks the Chinese side to stop and not to repeat its activities violating Vietnam’s sovereignty. VNA/VOVNews … [Read more...]
Tapping Water-based Tourism in Southern Tien Giang Province
Water-based civilisation Lying along the Tien River and stretching 120 km to the East Sea, Tien Giang has a very thick crisscrossing canal network, spotted by beautiful islets like Co Lich, Tan Phong, Ngu Hiep, Thoi Son, Tan Long and Con Ngang to create verdant gardens in all four seasons where famous fruits are growing like Hoa Loc mango, Ngu Hiep durian, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, Vinh Kim Lo Ren star apple and Go Cong acerola, and create the fresh air and water world in the Mekong River. The diverse natural conditions divide Tien Giang province into three different ecological zones - naturally conducive to tourism development. The freshwater ecological zone consists of the fruit tree island region and the residential region along the Tien River, including Cai Be, Cai Lay and Chau Thanh districts and My Tho City where fruit trees are green in all four seasons and canals are very thick for the formation of water-world resorts like Thoi Son islet and Cai Be floating market. … [Read more...]
China’s drastic militarization threatens East Sea’s ecosystem
VietNamNet Bridge - The devastation of the ecosystem around some islands in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) is becoming serious because of China's dredging and construction activities for military purposes. "Responsibility of protection" is always mentioned by scholars in maintaining a balance between national security and human security. But for cases mixed with sovereignty disputes, this concept is a controversial issue. The East Sea is a good example of the contradictions of "responsibility of protection" in affecting the environment and the livelihoods of millions of people. The devastation of ecosystem around some islands in the East Sea is due to China, plus the overexploitation of the ocean by coastal states.Danger from artificial islands Satellite photos show damage to the habitat of coral reefs in the Truong Sa Archipelago (Spratlys Islands). Coral reefs in remote islands and atolls, though less affected by the direct activities of humans, are … [Read more...]
Vietnam calls for peace maintenance as Russia joins China in military drill in S.China Sea
The week-long joint exercise came shortly after Putin spoke in support for China’s stance in the waters. Vietnam’s foreign spokesman has called for peace maintenance in the region as China and Russia just conducted the first joint military exercise in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. The spokesman said at a press briefing Thursday that all activities including military operations in the East Sea need to follow international regulations, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “Vietnam hopes that all countries contribute positively to the maintenance of peace and stability, and ensure air and maritime safety and security in the East Sea as well as the whole Asia-Pacific region,” Binh said. China and Russia on Monday just wrapped up their first week-long military exercise off Guangdong. The activity came after Russian President Vladimir Putin showed support for Beijing’s position in the East … [Read more...]
Vietnam calls for peace maintenance as Russia joins China in military exercise in S.China Sea
The week-long joint exercise came shortly after Putin spoke in support for China’s stance in the waters. Vietnam’s foreign spokesman has called for peace maintenance in the region as China and Russia just conducted the first joint military exercise in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. The spokesman said at a press briefing Thursday that all activities including military operations in the East Sea need to follow international regulations, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “Vietnam hopes that all countries contribute positively to the maintenance of peace and stability, and ensure air and maritime safety and security in the East Sea as well as the whole Asia-Pacific region,” Binh said. China and Russia on Monday just wrapped up their first week-long military exercise off Guangdong. The activity came after Russian President Vladimir Putin showed support for Beijing’s position in the East … [Read more...]
Social News 13/9
Doctors successfully remove large tumor Phạm Đình Phẩm said the doctors removed the tumor from the uterus of a 42-year-old woman in a challenging surgery that lasted two hours. The patient, named Mua Thị Má, lives in Đồng Văn District's Ma Lé Commune. She was hospitalised in poor health due to the large tumor, which made her resemble an eight-month pregnant woman. The entire team from the surgery ward of the hospital took part in the extremely complex medical operation which saved the woman's life. The surgery was successful and the patient was recovering well, Phẩm said. Earlier, the hospital performed another successful surgery, removing a 6kg ovarian tumor from a patient belonging to an ethnic group. The surgery's success marks an important step for the health sector in the mountainous district in Hà Giang Province. Indonesia to repatriate Vietnamese fishermen by sea transport Indonesia will repatriate Vietnamese fishermen who were caught to accidently fish in its waters by … [Read more...]
Tropical depression on collision course to Vietnam
A low pressure zone intensified into a tropical depression on Sunday afternoon with heavy rains forecast to drench central Vietnam. A low pressure zone intensified into a tropical depression on Sunday afternoon north of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands in Vietnam’s East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. The National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center said it would bring torrential rains to central and southern provinces, and wind speeds are projected to peak at 50 kilometers an hour. The depression is forecast to move westward towards the provinces of Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa tomorrow afternoon. Central provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai are expected to experience heavy rain from late September 12 to September 14. Heavy rains may also roll in and trigger tornadoes from Binh Dinh to Binh Thuan, in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam in the next 2-3 days. Vietnam is hit by an average of eight to 10 tropical storms between July and October … [Read more...]
All-star music video to celebrate VN National Day
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - A music video made with the participation of hundreds of singers, public figures, athletes and volunteers was released last week during the celebration of Việt Nam's National Day on September 2 (1945-2016). The 9-minute-long video included Vietnamese celebrities sang Việt Nam, My Home Land, a song written by veteran composer Đỗ Nhuận, which expresses love and admiration for the people and his homeland. Ideas for the video, conceived and executed by singer Minh Quân, included footage of the country's most charming landscapes with bird's-eye views of Hạ Long Bay, Tràng An Landscape Complex and Huế Imperial Citadel. Quân urged friends and fans to widely share the footage to introduce Việt Nam's landscape and people to the international community. He pleaded with younger generations to "uphold patriotic spirit just as our forefathers did in the past." The singer said he hopes that the video will contribute to the country's efforts to safeguard its island … [Read more...]