Q&A

1. VnExpress: AMTI has mentioned that there are 400 Chinese enterprises registered on the so-called “Sansha” on Woody Island, Paracel Islands, Viet Nam. Please comment on this matter?

Viet Nam has strongly reaffirmed many times that Viet Nam has ample historical evidences and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the archipelagos of the Paracel and Spratly Island.

The consistent stance of Viet Nam is to strongly oppose of the so-called “Sansha city” and related acts which seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty, which they have no validity and are not recognized, and not contribute to the friendly relations between countries and complicates the situation in the East Sea, the region and the world.

2. TG&VN: Please comment on the fact that Viet Nam was the first country that Janpanese Prime Minister Soga Yoshihide visit after his inauguration?

Viet Nam welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to visit Viet Nam as his first overseas destination after taking office. This clearly demonstrates the strong and substantial development of the extensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan in several aspects.

We strongly believe that the visit will be a great success, actively contributing to fostering the Viet Nam - Japan extensive strategic partnership and to restoring the post-covid 19 socio-economics developments of the two countries.

3. NDN: What is the tentative program of the Japanese Prime Minister? When can we have that program and how can correspondents and press assistants register to cover the event?

As the agreement by both Viet Nam-Japan, we will distribute the tentative program by tomorrow.

Domestic and foreign press agency covering this event need to register with the PID, MOFA. It is also important to note that in the context of the pandemic, in order to ensure the hygiene and prevention measures against the pandemic, there will be some events that limit the number of reporters.

4. Sputnik: WHO recently announced that 10 types of vaccines worldwide are currently in the phrase III of clinical trials. Does Viet Nam have a clinical trial for the Covid-19 vaccine? Previously, news reported that Viet Nam would buy Sputnik V vaccine of Russia? When does delivery start? And how many doses are expected?

This is a specific and professional questions. However, in my ability, I would like to inform:

Beside the prevention and control the pandemic, the government of Viet Nam is concerned, directed relevant authorities to urgently carry out researches to produce domestic vaccine, while promote the cooperation with reliable companies, partners that produce and supply vaccines in the world to have the Covid-19 vaccine in the shortest time. At the same time, Viet Nam is also building policies and regulations to support the rapid receipt, transportation, storage, distribution and use of vaccines as soon as the vaccines against Covid-19 are available.

According to the Ministry of Health, Viet Nam has ordered vaccines from a number of partners, including Russia and the UK. The distribution of vaccines depends on the progress of the manufacturer’s clinical trials, as well as the vaccine testing protocol before putting into use.

Currently, Vietnam is still regularly exchanging and updating the situation with partners and we are looking forward to soon having vaccines, drugs and treatment, moving towards controlling and eliminating this dangerous pandemic.

5. Phoenix TV: Regarding the US presidential elections, based on the US referendum survey, the presidential candidate Joe Biden is having advantage over the presidential candidate Donald Trump. Does Viet Nam have any plan for the scenario of the US having new president and will the Viet Nam- US relations change or be adjusted?

This is an internal affair of the US. As a US partner, we keep a close monitor on what is happening in the US.

The Vietnam - US comprehensive partnership has developed very positively in recent years. We always want to work together with the US administration to continue promoting this relationship to develop positively and comprehensively for the benefit of the people of two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development. of the region and around the world.

6. AFP: Could you please inform, until now, whether Viet Nam and ASEAN countries have agreed on the time to hold the upcoming summit, and if it is approved, where is the venue? In the form directly or online?

The 37th ASEAN Summit is expected to take place in mid-November 2020.

As ASEAN Chair, Viet Nam is working with other member countries to actively prepare for this important meeting. We are also preparing all organisational plans, while ensuring security, efficiency and practicality. As you all aware, ASEAN operates on the principle of consensus. When ASEAN countries agree on the plan, we will make an official announcement.

7. Zing: What is Viet Nam’s comment on the information that ASEAN’s partners including the United States, Japan, India, and Australia wish to enhance cooperation in the field of freedom of navigation with ASEAN countries?

ASEAN always welcomes ideas and initiatives that contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

As the chairman of ASEAN 2020, Viet Nam sets the main goal to be building a comprehensive and responsive ASEAN. On that basis, Viet Nam has been promoting the chairmanship role in building the community, affirming the central role of ASEAN in the regional architecture and expanding the ASEAN’s external relationships.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which causes direct, long term and profound effects on the socio-economic of the region and the world, Viet Nam wishes and stands ready with ASEAN countries and partners to work together to recover economies, stabilize people’s lives for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia – Pacific region. In this process, international laws, the spirit of dialogue and cooperation should always be highly appreciated.

8. CNA: Regarding the official visit to Viet Nam by the Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, the Nikkei of Japan reported that the country was about to an agreement to export weapons to Viet Nam. Can MOFA provide more information on this agreement. What type of military equipment will be the priority of Viet Nam and Japan in the upcoming time?

We do not have the information about this.

During the visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide are expected to discuss cooperation in all areas, including defence in order to strengthen substantive cooperation in this area; effective coordination and implementation of the cooperation’s content in the area of peace keeping mission as well as enhancing defence cooperation in multilateral frameworks.

Viet Nam persists in a peaceful and self-defence policy. Over the past years, the Vietnam - Japan strategic partnership has been developing positively in all areas: investment, trade, culture, education, defence - security...

9. Doi song phap luat: As the Japanese Prime Minister choose Viet Nam as his first destination after taking office, does this demonstrate Japan's strategy or interest in the region and Vietnam?

As I have just commented, this is the second visit to Viet Nam by a new Prime Minister of Japan right after taking office, which is a vivid demonstration of the robust, substantive development in many areas of the Viet Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership./.