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Congratulations on Mozambique Independence Day AT A GLANCE %

POST-COVID ERA NIKKEI HOLDS POLICY DIALOGUE
Speaking at the 26th International Conference on the Future of together. The PM highlighted Vietnam’s
Asia, an annual policy dialogue initiated by Japan’s Nikkei news responsible contributions and readiness
agency in 1995 and held online on May 20 with the theme “Shaping to work with nations to foster peace,
the post-COVID era: Asia’s role in the global recovery”, Prime stability, development, and solidarity
Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Asia to issue a new cooperation for common benefits and prosperity in each country and the region
framework to help economies overcome the pandemic while laying and for the well-being of all people around the world. He thanked
a foundation for sustainable and inclusive development in the future. regional countries, including Japan, for assisting Vietnam in the
He said it is time for all countries to set aside conflict and differences past, and shared Vietnam’s fight against the pandemic and promotion
and stand united to offer mutual support and beat the pandemic of socio-economic development.

PM TALKS WITH JAPAN, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA FOREIGN RELATIONS
In phone talks on May 17, Prime Minister enhancing dialogue mechanisms such as deputy ministerial-level
Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime political consultations and bilateral defense consultations, and stepping
Minister Suga Yoshihide discussed up the establishment of the Joint Committee on Economy and Trade,
measures to boost the two nations’ to raise two-way trade to $8 billion over the next two years from the
extensive strategic partnership. The current $5 billion. PM Trudeau, meanwhile, reaffirmed Canada’s com-
former highly valued Japan’s effective cooperation and assistance for mitment to fostering strong cooperation in trade, development, and
Vietnam’s development. He suggested both sides focus on areas of national defense with Vietnam. During phone talks with Australian
cooperation such as infrastructure development, fighting Covid-19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on May 25, PM Chinh pledged to
investment, and human resources training. PM Suga, meanwhile, further develop the strategic partnership between the two countries
affirmed Japan’s consistent policy of attaching importance to relations and called on Australia to encourage its enterprises to step up
with Vietnam and pledged to continue its support in infrastructure investment in Vietnam. PM Morrison expressed a wish to elevate the
development, especially in the fields of transport, energy, environment, Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic
and space cooperation. Meanwhile, during phone talks with his partnership and lauded Vietnam’s anti-Covid-19 efforts and its socio-
Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on May 19, PM Chinh proposed economic achievements.

ELECTRIC BUSES HANOI SERVICE UNDERWAY
The first electric bus service in Hanoi was launched on a trial basis on and assembled by VinFast, another Vin-
May 17 after a one-month trial inside urban areas belonging to Vietnam’s group subsidiary, at its automobile pro-
largest conglomerate, Vingroup. The service is being operated by the duction complex in northern Hai Phong
Vinbus Ecology Transport Services Limited Liability Company (VinBus), city. Each is equipped with an automated
a member of the Vingroup. The buses are running on the Hao Nam - system able to control driving behavior
Vinhomes Ocean Park, Times City - Ba Dinh district (central agencies and give warnings about dangerous situations, an on-board public
precinct), and Ho Tay Water Park - Vinhomes Smart City routes. A address system, free wi-fi, USB charging ports, and security cameras,
Vinbus representative said the buses did not carry passengers during among other features. VinBus is scheduled to provide public transport
the trial. Earlier, on April 8, Vinbus launched the first smart e-bus services in five major cities in Vietnam: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho
service inside one of its urban areas - Vinhomes Ocean Park in Gia Lam Chi Minh City, and Can Tho. Earlier, in December 2019, Vingroup
district - while awaiting the completion of procedures to connect with proposed the operation of ten electric bus routes in Hanoi and committed
the city’s public transport network. The electric buses are manufactured to investing in 150-200 high-end electric buses.

VOTER TURNOUT AT MORE THAN 98% NA ELECTION

As of 10pm on May 23, more than 67.63 NA General Secretary Bui Van Cuong, who is also Chairman of the NA
million voters out of the 68,709,092 enrolled Office and Chief of the National Election Council (NEC) Office, told the
nationwide, or 98.43 per cent, had cast bal- media that 31,985 polling stations saw turnout of 100 per cent. Apart
lots to elect deputies to the 15th National from ensuring safety and security, efforts were also made in Covid-19
Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 term. prevention and control, he said, stressing that it can be affirmed at this
Of the 866 candidates, 500 will be elected as deputies in the new NA. time that the elections took place smoothly and in line with regulations.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE AMBASSADOR ADDRESSES UNSC
Addressing an open videoconference of the UN Security Council law and exercise maximum self-
(UNSC) on May 16 - its third emergency meeting in a week to restraint to minimize damage, including
discuss events in Israel and Palestine - Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, to essential infrastructure, and to avoid
Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, expressed his civilian casualties, in line with the
deep concern over the escalating tensions and said that Vietnam UNSC’s Resolution No. 2573. The diplomat also underlined Vietnam’s
condemns attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He stressed appeal to Israel to immediately stop the excessive use of force and
that while seeking solutions to the conflict’s root causes, acts of any unilateral act complicating the situation. The ambassador under-
violence must be ended immediately and all relevant parties must scored the need to resolve the conflict by peaceful means and noted
exercise self-restraint and not complicate the situation. He asked that, in the long run, the only sustainable path towards Middle East
that the parties, particularly Israel, respect international humanitarian peace is the two-state solution.

JUNE 2021 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | 5