I. ANNOUNCEMENT

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the State Commission on Overseas Vietnamese of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cooperated with related agencies to host the 2021 Homeland Spring program for Vietnamese communities abroad. The program will take place from 8.10 pm to 10 pm on 04 February 2021 at the Hanoi Opera House, and will be live broadcasted on VTV1, VTV4, VTVgo and vtv.vn. There will be no audience on site.

Due to the complicated evolution of COVID-19 within and outside the country, the 2021 Homeland Spring program will be held in a suitable format, so that our fellow Vietnamese can together celebrate the coming Lunar New Year, both meeting the aspiration of our overseas communities and ensuring pandemic prevention. The program enjoys a meticulous selection of vibrant performances in praise of our homeland. It conveys the warmth of the coming spring and the joy of the people across Viet Nam via the songs and dances of famous Vietnamese singers and artists at home and overseas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will have a remark for the overseas Vietnamese communities during the program.

II. Q&A

1. VTC: What is Viet Nam’s comment on the United Kingdom officially acceding to the CPTPP?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership is a new-generation FTA. It demonstrates the strong resolve on cooperation among countries in the region. CPTPP signatories have agreed upon an accession process, wherein interested economies must meet the criteria of the Partnership and of the accession process. The United Kingdom is a vital trading partner of the CPTPP countries and of Viet Nam. Viet Nam supports the UK in strengthening economic and trade relations with the region. We stand ready to share information and our experiences in the CPTPP with the UK.

2. CNA: A Taiwanese investor recently informed us that he recently entered Viet Nam and followed quarantine regulation, having finished half of his compulsory quarantine time. However, the Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention in Hanoi issued a document on 31 January 2021, requesting those who are under quarantine or future entries into Viet Nam to increase quarantine time from 14 to 21 days. Can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs validate this information? In the coming time, upon entry, will foreign experts and investors be subjected to a 21-day quarantine?

Existing regulations on pandemic prevention for experts, investors, businesspeople, managers and Vietnamese citizens entering Viet Nam call for 14-day concentrated quarantine.

Amid the complicated evolution of the pandemic within the community, the Prime Minister issued Directive no. 05/CT-TTg dated 28 January and the Office of the Government issued Announcement no. 22/TB-VPCP dated 30 January requesting localities with infected cases to promptly carry out rapid contact tracing, identify pandemic clusters, conduct wide-spread testing and strictly implement 21-day concentrated quarantine.

3. VnExpress: Yesterday, the Ministers of the UK and Japan issued a Joint Statement expressing concerns over the situation on the South China Sea (East Sea) and the East China Sea, and opposing unilateral activities to change the status quo. The UK plans to deploy its aircraft carriers to the Asia – Pacific by the end of this year, and repeatedly considered the possibility of sending its aircraft carriers to the South China Sea. Can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comment on this information?

Viet Nam supports the maintenance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, with respect for the rule of law at seas and oceans in accordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

All activities of parties in the South China Sea must contribute to this shared endeavor.

4. Phoenix TV: What is Viet Nam’s comment on the coup d'état by the Myanmar military?

As a neighboring country (in the region) and a fellow ASEAN member, Viet Nam pays keen attention to the unfolding situation in Myanmar. We hope that the situation in Myanmar will soon be stabilized, enabling national construction and development for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and contributing to the ASEAN Community building.

5. Phoenix TV: How will the foreign policy line of the Party and the Government of Viet Nam with regard to the Party and people of China change following the 13th National Party Congress?

Viet Nam remains steadfast and persevering in our foreign policy of independence and sovereignty, multilateralization and diversification of relations, strengthening of ties with partners, particularly important partners, with added depth, effectiveness, sustainability and intertwined interests.

The Party, State and people of Viet Nam always attach importance to strengthening our neighborliness, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation with the Party, State and people of China. We hope that the Viet Nam – China ties will continue to flourish in a sound and enduring manner, for the interest of both countries and for peace and development in the region and the world.

6. Phoenix: China’s Two Sessions will take place in March to discuss reforms across all areas, as China enters a new era. What aspect of this year’s Two Session is Viet Nam interested in?

To our knowledge, the Two Sessions are among China’s most important annual political activities. Viet Nam will closely follow the event, and wishes the Two Sessions every success.

7. Zing: A court in France recently examined the lawsuit of Ms. Trần Tố Nga (78, a Vietnamese-French citizen) against 14 companies that sold Agent Orange, which has caused great losses for her and her children?

Viet Nam suffered the heavy aftermath of war, including the severe long-term consequences of Agent Orange. We support victims of Agent Orange to demand companies that produced and commercialized Agent Orange in the Viet Nam War to take legal responsibility.

Viet Nam believes that these companies must take responsibility in addressing the consequences of Agent Orange in Viet Nam.

8. Zing: Can you comment on Japan’s Note Verbale circulated at the UN on the issue of the South China Sea?

Viet Nam maintains a consistent position over issues pertaining to the South China Sea, which has been constantly reiterated. Viet Nam believes that countries share the aspiration and goal of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the South China Sea. To this end, it is of utmost necessity to respect the legal order at sea,and demonstrate responsibility and goodwill in fully complying with the 1982 UNCLOS.

Viet Nam applauds the positions of other countries on the South China Sea in accordance with international law. We also share the view that, as stated in the Statement of the 36th ASEAN Summit and the Joint Statement of the 53rd AMM, that the 1982 UNCLOS constitutes the legal framework regulating all activities at seas and oceans.

In this spirit, together with fellow ASEAN members, Viet Nam hopes that all countries, including ASEAN’s partners, will contribute to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the South China Sea, and settling disputes via dialogues and other peaceful measures in line with international law, for the shared interests and aspirations of countries in the region and the international community. Once again, I affirm that Viet Nam always actively and responsibly contributes to this endeavour.

9. Zing: On 01 February, China’s coast guard law officially entered into force. Can you elaborate more on this matter?

In issuing and implementing national legal documents regarding maritime issues, countries are obligated to adhere to international law and treaties, to which they are parties, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.

Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal foundation to claim sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in line with international law, and sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over waters in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS. Viet Nam shall take steadfast and persevering action in accordance with international law to safeguard these legitimate and legal rights.

Viet Nam calls on related countries to respect our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, uphold responsibility and goodwill in adhering to international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, avoid actions that may escalate tensions, and actively contribute to building trust, maintaining peace and stability, and promoting international order at sea and security, safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

10. Xinhua: Can you comment on the remark by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on China’s policies regarding Xinjiang. China strongly objected to Mr. Pompeo’s remark, and emphasized that China stood against external forces who attempt to make use of the Xinjiang issue to intervene in China’s internal affairs. Many countries have openly voiced their disagreement with the US’ aforementioned approach, and supported China’s stance on this matter. What is Viet Nam’s comment regarding this issue?

The Government of China has provided its information and position on this matter.

This is an internal affair of China.

11. DPA: Can the Spokesperson provide information on whether the Vietnamese National Assembly will organize any meeting session prior to the election in May 2021?

To my knowledge, it is expected that the Vietnamese National Assembly shall organize a session in March 2021, prior to the election for the new National Assembly./.