May 15-21: President Tran Dai Quang concludes State visit to China

Nhan Dan Online reviews a number of outstanding events that made headlines over the past week.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: VNA)
President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: VNA)

1. President Tran Dai Quang concludes State visit to China

President Tran Dai Quang, his spouse and the Vietnamese delegation left Beijing on May 15, concluding a five-day State visit to China, during which he also attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

During the trip, the Vietnamese State leader had talks with Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhang Dejiang, and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng. On the occasion of the visit, the two sides also issued a joint statement.

2. NA Standing Committee convenes 10th meeting

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (centre) speaks at the meeting.

The 10th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) took place in Hanoi from May 15 to 17, discussing many important contents in preparation for the third session of the NA to open on May 22.

During its three-day sitting, the NASC commented on a supplementary assessment report in relation to the implementation of socio-economic development and state budget plans in 2016; the realisation of plans in the opening months of 2017; a draft resolution on dealing with bad debts of credit institutions; and the acquisition and amendment of a draft law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the 2015 Penal Law.

3. Prime Minister meets with business community

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the conference with the business community on May 17.

At a meeting with the business community in Hanoi on May 17, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese government would continue to create a fair and friendly business environment as well as take action to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises.

The government leader emphasised the spirit of turning words into actions by announcing that he had just signed a directive forbidding authorities from inspecting enterprises more than once a year. He assured investors and entrepreneurs that his government would not only ensure their freedom to do business and be innovative, but also protect their assets and capital so that they can expand their business activities.

4. Activities celebrate President Ho’s birth anniversary

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam and a young boy admire a children's painting of President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Museum on May 19 (Photo: VGP)

A variety of activities were held both across the country and abroad over the past week to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh’s 127th birth anniversary, ranging from book and photo exhibitions to writing and painting contests about Uncle Ho to incence-offering activities at memorial sites dedicated to the President.

5. Two scientists honoured with Ta Quang Buu Awards

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam (right) presents the awards to the two scientists.

The 2017 Ta Quang Buu Awards were presented to Ass. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Sum from Quy Nhon University in the field of mathematics and Prof. Dr. Phan Thanh Son Nam from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in the field of chemistry, at a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 18.

The award, launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2014 and named after famous Vietnamese scientist Prof. Ta Quang Buu (1910-1986), honours individuals and groups who have performed exceptional scientific researches and had exemplary scientific research papers published in prestigious international journals.

6. Vietnamese scientist elected to Global Young Academy

Dr. Tran Quang Huy

Dr. Tran Quang Huy, from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, has been elected as a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA). He was among 40 finalists selected from 270 candidates worldwide who applied for GYA membership this year.

As an expert in microscopy, microanalysis and biomedical nanotechnology, Huy has chaired more than 10 research projects and published more than 50 scientific articles of high International Scientific Indexing (ISI). Currently holding the chairmanship of the Vietnam Young Academy, Huy is the only Vietnamese representative elected to the GYA in 2017.

7. Bai Tu Long National Park recognised as ASEAN Heritage Park

At the ceremony to receive the ASEAN Heritage Park title for Bai Tu Long National Park on May 19.

Bai Tu Long National Park in northern Quang Ninh province has been recognised as the 38th Heritage Park of ASEAN (AHP). It fully satisfies the six criteria for an AHP, including ecological integrity, symbolism, natural features, high conservation value, management and preservation plan, and legality.

Bai Tu Long is Vietnam’s sixth national park to receive the title, after Ba Be (Bac Kan province), Hoang Lien (Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces), Kon Ka Kinh (Gia Lai province), Chu Mom Ray (Kon Tum province) and U Minh Thuong (Kien Giang province).