Vietnam's envoy to India Pham Sanh Chau has said that his country's PM&nbsp;Phạm Minh Chính will visit India by the end of this year, which will be his foreign visit since taking charge earlier this year.

Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Chau said, it "will be very important visit because India will be the first country he will pay visit bilaterally."&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday the bust of Vietnam's founding father &amp; President Ho Chi Minh was unveiled at park in Delhi's Diplomatic enclave Chankyapuri.&nbsp;

WION: The installation of the bust of Ho Chi Minh, how significant it is?

Pham Sanh Chau:&nbsp;There are number of messages when we install bust in heart of Delhi. Number one, Ho Chi Minh is the great friend of India, he loved India, he loved Indians. During my speech I quoted all his nice words for India. For him, Indians are brothers and sisters. For him India is the great country, for him Indian civilisation is one of the oldest and&nbsp;most respected civilisation, so the first message is that he wants to be continued to be present here in order to increase bilateral relations between the two&nbsp;countries.

Second, as madam minister Lekhi said, President Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi never met, but they met in there thought. President Ho Chi Minh respected Mahatma Gandhi and that is why when he came to pay tribute Mahatma, he brought flowers from Vietnam. 63 years ago, how difficult to get flowers from Vietnam. And 3rd thing is, we need to be together in this world which is so unforeseeable.

WION: Plans to also install a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Vietnam?

Pham Sanh Chau:&nbsp;I hope one month from now if the situation goes well, in terms of pandemic, the bust of Mahatma Gandhi will be installed in the heart of the city named after him--Ho Chi Minh. It is the biggest city. In a beautiful open park. It will be a very happy moment for us.

WION: Any plans for a high-level visit between India and&nbsp;Vietnam?

Pham Sanh Chau:&nbsp;According to our programme, my PM is scheduled to visit India by the end of the year. After the talks between two&nbsp;prime ministers, talks with PM Modi, both of them discussed ways to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership. I think that will be a very important visit because India will be the first country he will pay visit bilaterally.

WION: INS Airavat arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Covid relief supplies..Vietnam also helped India during the second wave..how is the cooperation going?

Pham Sanh Chau:&nbsp;This is a very very good news. The whole country of Vietnam, whole population are so moved and touch that government and people of India have sent oxygen and oxygen concentrators right in time, straight to Ho Chi Minh City in order to provide to the patient who needs them. A friend in need is a friend indeed.&nbsp;

Vietnam's envoy to India Pham Sanh Chau has said that his country's PM Phạm Minh Chính will visit India by the end of this year, which will be his foreign visit since taking charge earlier this year.

Vietnam's envoy to India Pham Sanh Chau has said that his country's PM Phạm Minh Chính will visit India by the end of this year, which will be his foreign visit since taking charge earlier this year. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Chau said, it "will be very important visit because India will be the first country he will pay visit bilaterally." Earlier on Wednesday the bust of Vietnam's founding father & President Ho Chi Minh was unveiled at park in Delhi's Diplomatic enclave Chankyapuri. WION: The installation of the bust of Ho Chi Minh, how significant it is? Pham Sanh Chau: There are number of messages when we install bust in heart of Delhi. Number one, Ho Chi Minh is the great friend of India, he loved India, he loved Indians. During my speech I quoted all his nice words for India. For him, Indians are brothers and sisters. For him India is the great country, for him Indian civilisation is one of the oldest and most respected civilisation, so the first message is that he wants to be continued to be present here in order to increase bilateral relations between the two countries. Second, as madam minister Lekhi said, President Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi never met, but they met in there thought. President Ho Chi Minh respected Mahatma Gandhi and that is why when he came to pay tribute Mahatma, he brought flowers from Vietnam. 63 years ago, how difficult to get flowers from Vietnam. And 3rd thing is, we need to be together in this world which is so unforeseeable. WION: Plans to also install a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Vietnam? Pham Sanh Chau: I hope one month from now if the situation goes well, in terms of pandemic, the bust of Mahatma Gandhi will be installed in the heart of the city named after him--Ho Chi Minh. It is the biggest city. In a beautiful open park. It will be a very happy moment for us. WION: Any plans for a high-level visit between India and Vietnam? Pham Sanh Chau: According to our programme, my PM is scheduled to visit India by the end of the year. After the talks between two prime ministers, talks with PM Modi, both of them discussed ways to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership. I think that will be a very important visit because India will be the first country he will pay visit bilaterally. WION: INS Airavat arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Covid relief supplies..Vietnam also helped India during the second wave..how is the cooperation going? Pham Sanh Chau: This is a very very good news. The whole country of Vietnam, whole population are so moved and touch that government and people of India have sent oxygen and oxygen concentrators right in time, straight to Ho Chi Minh City in order to provide to the patient who needs them. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Vietnam PM to visit India in his first foreign visit: Envoy Chau

Vietnam, a key producer&nbsp;of robusta, which is used in some espresso blends and instant coffee,&nbsp;is in lockdown, causing global coffee supply concerns.&nbsp;

As a result of a spike in Delta variant cases, strict travel restrictions have been imposed in Ho Chi Minh, a major exporting hub that operates from China to Europe.&nbsp;

The result is that exporters are having difficulty transporting commodities around the world.&nbsp;

Several trade organisations, including the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association, are calling on the government to relax the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> regulations, so as to prevent further delays to shipments and to reduce related costs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-coffee-reduces-risk-of-contracting-coronavirus-study-397490">Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study</a>

However, it is unclear how long the Vietnamese government will impose such a tight lockdown on Ho Chi Minh.&nbsp;

The disruption of shipments from such a major producer country as Vietnam follows the loss of Brazil's coffee crop, which&nbsp;is now hitting coffee supplies.

Brazil, the world's biggest producer of coffee, is bracing for coffee losses as it continues to monitor its crops but is expecting significant damage to them.&nbsp;

Alos read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drinking-coffee-regularly-decreases-chances-of-chronic-liver-diseases-study-393155">Drinking coffee regularly decreases chances of chronic liver diseases: Study</a>

Due to recent droughts and frosts that have severely harmed Brazil's coffee-growing regions, future prices also look set to spike.&nbsp;Reports claim that many farmers face replanting their trees because of the harsh frosts, which will set back their production by several years.&nbsp;

In light of all this, it is predicted that the price of imported coffee beans will rise, which will affect the cost to the consumer.&nbsp;

Vietnam, a key producer of robusta, which is used in some espresso blends and instant coffee, is in lockdown, causing global coffee supply concerns. As a result of a spike in Delta variant cases, strict travel restrictions have been imposed in Ho Chi Minh, a major exporting hub that operates from China to Europe.

Vietnam, a key producer of robusta, which is used in some espresso blends and instant coffee, is in lockdown, causing global coffee supply concerns. As a result of a spike in Delta variant cases, strict travel restrictions have been imposed in Ho Chi Minh, a major exporting hub that operates from China to Europe. The result is that exporters are having difficulty transporting commodities around the world. Several trade organisations, including the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association, are calling on the government to relax the COVID-19 regulations, so as to prevent further delays to shipments and to reduce related costs. Also read | Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study However, it is unclear how long the Vietnamese government will impose such a tight lockdown on Ho Chi Minh. The disruption of shipments from such a major producer country as Vietnam follows the loss of Brazil's coffee crop, which is now hitting coffee supplies. Brazil, the world's biggest producer of coffee, is bracing for coffee losses as it continues to monitor its crops but is expecting significant damage to them. Alos read | Drinking coffee regularly decreases chances of chronic liver diseases: Study Due to recent droughts and frosts that have severely harmed Brazil's coffee-growing regions, future prices also look set to spike. Reports claim that many farmers face replanting their trees because of the harsh frosts, which will set back their production by several years. In light of all this, it is predicted that the price of imported coffee beans will rise, which will affect the cost to the consumer.

Vietnam lockdown threatens global coffee supplies, may affect your Java costs

India delivered 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 300 oxygen containers to Vietnam on Monday to help the country fight the coronavirus infection, officials said.

The supplies were transported to the Ho Chi Minh City port by Indian Navy ship INS Airavat.

"INS Airavat reaches Vietnam with Oxygen supplies. Indo-Pacific approach in practice," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said the ship, carrying 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen in five containers and 300 oxygen concentrators, reached the Ho Chi Minh City port on Monday.

He said the medical supplies were sent in accordance with the requirements projected by the Vietnamese government.

Last week, INS Airavat delivered medical supplies to Indonesia.

"As part of India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the region and has been at the forefront of numerous humanitarian missions spanning the entire extent of the Indian Ocean," the official said.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-hands-over-vietnam-first-high-speed-boat-under-100-million-defense-credit-line-351429">&nbsp;India hands over Vietnam first high-speed boat under $100 million defense credit line</a>

The ties between India and Vietnam are on an upswing, particularly in the areas of defence and security.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart Sr Lt Gen Phan Van Giang held extensive talks virtually last month during which they vowed to further enhance military-to-military cooperation.

Vietnam, an important country of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region.

India has oil exploration projects in the Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spreads-through-air-vietnam-reports-new-variant-of-coronavirus-388243">'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus</a>

"The two navies cooperate in various areas, including a composite training programme in the fields of submarine, aviation and technical training, and regularly carry out joint naval exercises in the form of bilateral exercises," Commander Madhwal said.

"The current deployment of the ship aims to further strengthen the strategic relationship," he added.&nbsp;

India delivered 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 300 oxygen containers to Vietnam on Monday to help the country fight the coronavirus infection, officials said.

India delivered 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen and 300 oxygen containers to Vietnam on Monday to help the country fight the coronavirus infection, officials said. The supplies were transported to the Ho Chi Minh City port by Indian Navy ship INS Airavat. "INS Airavat reaches Vietnam with Oxygen supplies. Indo-Pacific approach in practice," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said the ship, carrying 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen in five containers and 300 oxygen concentrators, reached the Ho Chi Minh City port on Monday. He said the medical supplies were sent in accordance with the requirements projected by the Vietnamese government. Last week, INS Airavat delivered medical supplies to Indonesia. "As part of India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the region and has been at the forefront of numerous humanitarian missions spanning the entire extent of the Indian Ocean," the official said. Also read | India hands over Vietnam first high-speed boat under $100 million defense credit line The ties between India and Vietnam are on an upswing, particularly in the areas of defence and security. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart Sr Lt Gen Phan Van Giang held extensive talks virtually last month during which they vowed to further enhance military-to-military cooperation. Vietnam, an important country of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region. India has oil exploration projects in the Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea. Also read | 'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus "The two navies cooperate in various areas, including a composite training programme in the fields of submarine, aviation and technical training, and regularly carry out joint naval exercises in the form of bilateral exercises," Commander Madhwal said. "The current deployment of the ship aims to further strengthen the strategic relationship," he added.

India provides medical supplies to Vietnam

Vietnam will not enter an alliance to confront China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has told Beijing before he met US Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. &nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Vietnam’s prime minister met Chinese envoy to Hanoi Xiong Bo and said, Vietnam has always maintained an independent foreign policy that prioritised self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of ties, said a report by Vietnam News Agency.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia, China, US ready to serve as mediators in Afghanistan says Sergey Lavrov

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“Vietnam would not ally with one country to fight another, and wished to enhance political trust with China, promote exchange and uphold cooperation,” Pham said.&nbsp;

US Vice President Kamala Harris met Vietnam's top leaders on Wednesday. She offered support in several key areas, including the enhancement of the country's maritime security in an effort to counter Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-add-xi-jinping-thought-to-national-curriculum-408158" hreflang="en">China to add 'Xi Jinping Thought' to national curriculum</a>

Harris also offered more visits by US warships during her talks with Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.&nbsp;

During a meeting with the Vietnamese president in Hanoi, Harris said there was a need to increase pressure on Beijing over its maritime claims.&nbsp;

During the talks, Harris offered Vietnam vaccines and aid to tackle COVID-19. She also announced the launch of several programmes to help combat climate change, a White House official said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Vietnam will not enter an alliance to confront China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has told Beijing before he met US Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday.

Vietnam will not enter an alliance to confront China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has told Beijing before he met US Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Vietnam’s prime minister met Chinese envoy to Hanoi Xiong Bo and said, Vietnam has always maintained an independent foreign policy that prioritised self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of ties, said a report by Vietnam News Agency. Watch | Russia, China, US ready to serve as mediators in Afghanistan says Sergey Lavrov × “Vietnam would not ally with one country to fight another, and wished to enhance political trust with China, promote exchange and uphold cooperation,” Pham said. US Vice President Kamala Harris met Vietnam's top leaders on Wednesday. She offered support in several key areas, including the enhancement of the country's maritime security in an effort to counter Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Also Read: China to add 'Xi Jinping Thought' to national curriculum Harris also offered more visits by US warships during her talks with Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. During a meeting with the Vietnamese president in Hanoi, Harris said there was a need to increase pressure on Beijing over its maritime claims. During the talks, Harris offered Vietnam vaccines and aid to tackle COVID-19. She also announced the launch of several programmes to help combat climate change, a White House official said. (With inputs from agencies)

Will not enter an alliance to confront China, Vietnamese PM tells Beijing 

An anomalous health incident potentially related to the mysterious Havana syndrome delayed the flight of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Vietnam. However, Harris pushed through her tour and arrived in the Southeast Asian country's capital

Kamala Harris' Vietnam trip delayed over possible 'Havana syndrome' case

The Southeast Asian nation of Vietnam is currently witnessing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections fuelled by the Delta variant cases, with over 11,000 new cases and 737 deaths in 24 hours.

Vietnam COVID-19: Over 11,000 cases and 737 deaths in 24 hours

Vietnam authorities deployed soldiers on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to enforce lockdown amid rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-increased-aggression-six-to-eight-times-among-couples-study-407698">coronavirus</a> cases&nbsp;in the country.

Health officials say the Delta variant has been responsible for the rise in&nbsp;cases with&nbsp;movement restrictions imposed in Ho Chi Minh City last month.

Lockdown measures have become stricter from today with people not allowed to leave homes even&nbsp;as panic buying was witnessed over the weekend at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City with long queues outside markets.

Watch:

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Soldiers have been put in street corners with checkpoints set up at various points even as additional doctors and nurses were sent to Ho Chi Minh City in an attempt to combat the virus.

Ho Chi Minh City accounts&nbsp;for half of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reports-record-covid-deaths-as-country-lifts-all-restrictions-407649">coronavirus</a> cases recording 176,000 infections and 6,670 deaths. The vaccination drive in the country hasn't taken off with just 1.8 per cent people vaccinated in the country so far totalling&nbsp;744,000 people in a population of 98 million.

Vietnam has so far recorded 323,000 coronavirus infections and 7,540 deaths since the pandemic took hold in the country last year.

Reports had earlier claimed that workers were trying to leave Ho Chi Minh City due to extended restrictions.&nbsp;

Healthcare facilities have taken a hit due to rising cases with hospitals reporting shortage of staff even though officials have told health agencies not to turn back patients.

Health officials have asked patients suffering from mild coronavirus infection to isolate at home as pressure grows on hospitals.

The country has closed its borders to all visitors apart from citizens, foreign experts, investors and diplomats. All travellers are required to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine at government facilities.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Vietnam authorities deployed soldiers on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to enforce lockdown amid rise in coronavirus cases in the country. Health officials say the Delta variant has been responsible for the rise in cases with movement restrictions imposed in Ho Chi Minh City last month.

Vietnam authorities deployed soldiers on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to enforce lockdown amid rise in coronavirus cases in the country. Health officials say the Delta variant has been responsible for the rise in cases with movement restrictions imposed in Ho Chi Minh City last month. Lockdown measures have become stricter from today with people not allowed to leave homes even as panic buying was witnessed over the weekend at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City with long queues outside markets. Watch: Soldiers have been put in street corners with checkpoints set up at various points even as additional doctors and nurses were sent to Ho Chi Minh City in an attempt to combat the virus. Ho Chi Minh City accounts for half of coronavirus cases recording 176,000 infections and 6,670 deaths. The vaccination drive in the country hasn't taken off with just 1.8 per cent people vaccinated in the country so far totalling 744,000 people in a population of 98 million. Vietnam has so far recorded 323,000 coronavirus infections and 7,540 deaths since the pandemic took hold in the country last year. Reports had earlier claimed that workers were trying to leave Ho Chi Minh City due to extended restrictions. Healthcare facilities have taken a hit due to rising cases with hospitals reporting shortage of staff even though officials have told health agencies not to turn back patients. Health officials have asked patients suffering from mild coronavirus infection to isolate at home as pressure grows on hospitals. The country has closed its borders to all visitors apart from citizens, foreign experts, investors and diplomats. All travellers are required to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine at government facilities. (With inputs from Agencies)

Troops deployed in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City to enforce lockdown amid virus surge

It was the end of a decadeslong American military engagement overseas, and thousands of U.S. allies were clamoring to board the last planes leaving for, they hoped, eventual resettlement in the United States. Their capital had fallen. Deadly reprisals for those who stayed behind were almost certain.

It was 1975, the tumultuous backdrop was Southeast Asia, and Washington largely opened America’s doors, letting in some 300,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia over the next four years. Joe Biden, then a young U.S. senator from Delaware, co-sponsored landmark legislation that won unanimous passage in the Senate and was signed into law in 1980, divorcing refugee admissions from U.S. foreign policy and generally expanding the number allowed into the country each year.

Now, as similar scenes of chaos and desperation unfold in Kabul with the conclusion of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan, most analysts say there is little chance the country will repeat the extensive refugee-resettlement effort that accompanied the end of the war in Vietnam.

Decades of lukewarm public sentiment over refugees, a toxic political stalemate over immigration and contemporary concerns over terrorism and the coronavirus pandemic have all but eliminated the possibility of a similar mass mobilisation.

Since the 1930s, polling by Gallup has shown time and again that Americans are ambivalent toward accepting refugees. As recently as 2018, amid a surge of Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans seeking safe haven, Americans said they would rather accept ordinary immigrants coming to look for better lives than refugees fleeing war and violence, according to the Pew Research Center — the opposite of respondents in 16 other Western countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-who-created-the-taliban-407485">WATCH</a>

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The refugee law that Biden co-sponsored calls for the president to determine the number of refugee admissions for a given year based on humanitarian concerns or what is otherwise in the national interest, giving the White House wide latitude.

When the program began in 1980, the U.S. capped the number of refugees at 234,000. But that limit has trended generally downward since, hitting what many thought would be a low of 15,000 in the last year of the presidency of Donald Trump, whose hostility to all kinds of immigration was a cornerstone of his administration.

Biden ran on a pledge to adopt a more humane policy and rebuild the resettlement program, but the country is poised to admit the lowest number of refugees in the history of the program — there have been 6,246 through July 31 — partly because the pandemic closed consulates and delayed processing of applications.

The crisis conditions in Afghanistan have prompted urgent calls to resettle Afghans who are trying urgently to leave before a Taliban crackdown, starting with the translators and others who face retribution because of their work with the U.S. military.

“President Biden has said, ‘America is back’ — is the city on the hill. Now he has the chance to prove it,” said Ryan Crocker, whose long diplomatic career included stints as U.S. ambassador to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

More than a dozen governors from both parties have expressed a willingness to receive refugees, and faith-based groups across the country are volunteering to help sponsor Afghan families. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said the state had “a long history of welcoming refugees from around the world” and was “eager to continue that practice” with Afghan refugees.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-parliament-member-nabiullah-baz-speaks-with-wion-407506">WATCH</a>

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But with large numbers of people fleeing violence and poverty in Central America and other countries pushing recently across the border with Mexico, some conservatives are calling for a hard line against large numbers of Afghan refugees.

Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said he was “deeply disturbed” that thousands of Afghans could be transported to Fort McCoy in his state without appropriate screening and called on the White House to abandon “this dangerous ready-fire-aim plan.”

And Fox News’ Tucker Carlson warned that admitting refugees now could eventually result in “millions” of Afghan immigrants. “So first we invade, and then we are invaded.”

What obligation, if any, does the United States have to accept people from other countries who are fleeing for their lives? None legally. There is no international law that requires the United States to take in refugees.

Yet, since the aftermath of World War II, it has played a leading role in welcoming refugees, especially from countries where it engaged militarily in the service of strategic and geopolitical considerations.

Between 1945 and 1950, the United States admitted about 350,000 Europeans, mainly Jews who survived the Holocaust.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower paroled some 40,000 Hungarians into the United States, and President John F. Kennedy went on to allow several hundred thousand Cubans opposed to the regime of Fidel Castro. Then came Vietnam and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of boat people after the fall of Saigon.

Also read :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-postpones-evacuation-plans-as-security-at-kabul-airport-worsens-407480">Switzerland postpones evacuation plans as security at Kabul airport worsens</a>

In all of those cases, refugees were casualties of America’s Cold War campaign against communism, and they enjoyed a certain amount of public support.

“During the ’80s, refugees are relatively popular because they are seen as a symbol of the superiority of our political and economic system,” said Serena Parekh, author of two books on refugees, including “No Refuge: Ethics and the Global Refugee Crisis,” published last year. “They are part of Cold War politics and play well into national interests.”

In the late 1980s, the United States received tens of thousands of Soviet Jews and other religious minorities for whom the American public had sympathy. In the 1990s, there was an influx from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

But by the late 1990s, the Congressional Black Caucus was criticizing the program for not assisting enough Africans fleeing bloodshed in countries such as Somalia, forcing them to remain parked in teeming camps. Public attitudes toward refugees already were shifting, said Parekh, a professor at Northeastern University.

“Refugees start to look more foreign or dissimilar to people in the U.S.,” she said. “Instead of being seen as people courageously fleeing persecution, they are seen as people who will be an economic burden.”

Also read :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/from-narco-terrorism-to-informal-economy-the-state-crime-nexus-of-afghanistans-opium-dilemma-407432" hreflang="en">From narco-terrorism to informal economy: The state-crime nexus of Afghanistan’s opium dilemma</a>

In response to 9/11, the United States invaded Afghanistan; two years later, it invaded Iraq.

Back home, public concern grew when immigrants — not refugees — were involved in a handful of other deadly terror attacks. The administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama added layers of security checks to the application process.

“The refugee program became so mired in red tape and extreme vetting that it looks like a program designed to keep people out of the United States rather than rescue them,” said Mark Hetfield, CEO of HIAS, a resettlement agency founded as Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and who has worked in the field for 32 years.

After terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, more than 20 governors announced that their states would not accept refugees from Syria, fearing terrorist infiltrators.

Not long after taking office, Trump slashed the refugee cap to 50,000 from the 110,000 set by Obama, and issued an executive order barring the entry of people from several predominantly Muslim countries. The next year, he set a ceiling of 45,000; fewer than half arrived amid tighter background checks and restrictions.

Biden quickly began to undo his predecessor’s immigration policies, but rising public concern over the rapid increase in unauthorized crossings on the southwestern border prompted him to defer a plan to increase the cap on refugees this year.

The delay forced 700 refugees, already screened and holding tickets, to be pulled off flights. There was swift rebuke from human rights activists and fellow Democrats, and within hours, the White House announced that the 2021 cap would be raised to 62,500. But it was not clear whether — given the pandemic, the program’s depletion by his predecessor and soaring numbers at the border — this number would be achieved.

As of March 31, the latest data available, 20,829 Afghans, plus 52,799 family members, had received special immigrant visas since 2014 under a separate program created by Congress for those who could face reprisals for their work with U.S. troops.

One of the Afghans who was evacuated and arrived in Houston this month, a 32-year-old interpreter who worked with a U.S. Marines platoon, said he managed to escape only days before his city, Gardez, south of Kabul, fell to the Taliban.

“I am just worried for so many people still there,” said the man, who wanted to be identified only by his English nickname, Harry, out of fear for the relatives he left behind. “They are hiding, or moving their families from place to place.”

Biden on Wednesday said the United States hoped to evacuate between 50,000 and 65,000 Afghan allies, including their families, and had approved an additional $500 million to help with “urgent refugee and migration needs.”

Many of them will be directed to other countries for processing. How many Afghans will eventually be welcomed into the United States remains an open question, one that Crocker, the former diplomat, said is key to everything the United States tried to achieve during the war.

“We owe it to Afghan females, the free media,” he said. “It’s for all those people we basically said to, ‘You go ahead and build a new, free open society and we will be here to see you get that done and that you get it done safely.’

“We have the moral obligation and the capacity to do it.”

It was the end of a decadeslong American military engagement overseas, and thousands of U.S. allies were clamoring to board the last planes leaving for, they hoped, eventual resettlement in the United States.

It was the end of a decadeslong American military engagement overseas, and thousands of U.S. allies were clamoring to board the last planes leaving for, they hoped, eventual resettlement in the United States. Their capital had fallen. Deadly reprisals for those who stayed behind were almost certain. It was 1975, the tumultuous backdrop was Southeast Asia, and Washington largely opened America’s doors, letting in some 300,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia over the next four years. Joe Biden, then a young U.S. senator from Delaware, co-sponsored landmark legislation that won unanimous passage in the Senate and was signed into law in 1980, divorcing refugee admissions from U.S. foreign policy and generally expanding the number allowed into the country each year. Now, as similar scenes of chaos and desperation unfold in Kabul with the conclusion of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan, most analysts say there is little chance the country will repeat the extensive refugee-resettlement effort that accompanied the end of the war in Vietnam. Decades of lukewarm public sentiment over refugees, a toxic political stalemate over immigration and contemporary concerns over terrorism and the coronavirus pandemic have all but eliminated the possibility of a similar mass mobilisation. Since the 1930s, polling by Gallup has shown time and again that Americans are ambivalent toward accepting refugees. As recently as 2018, amid a surge of Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans seeking safe haven, Americans said they would rather accept ordinary immigrants coming to look for better lives than refugees fleeing war and violence, according to the Pew Research Center — the opposite of respondents in 16 other Western countries. WATCH The refugee law that Biden co-sponsored calls for the president to determine the number of refugee admissions for a given year based on humanitarian concerns or what is otherwise in the national interest, giving the White House wide latitude. When the program began in 1980, the U.S. capped the number of refugees at 234,000. But that limit has trended generally downward since, hitting what many thought would be a low of 15,000 in the last year of the presidency of Donald Trump, whose hostility to all kinds of immigration was a cornerstone of his administration. Biden ran on a pledge to adopt a more humane policy and rebuild the resettlement program, but the country is poised to admit the lowest number of refugees in the history of the program — there have been 6,246 through July 31 — partly because the pandemic closed consulates and delayed processing of applications. The crisis conditions in Afghanistan have prompted urgent calls to resettle Afghans who are trying urgently to leave before a Taliban crackdown, starting with the translators and others who face retribution because of their work with the U.S. military. “President Biden has said, ‘America is back’ — is the city on the hill. Now he has the chance to prove it,” said Ryan Crocker, whose long diplomatic career included stints as U.S. ambassador to both Iraq and Afghanistan. More than a dozen governors from both parties have expressed a willingness to receive refugees, and faith-based groups across the country are volunteering to help sponsor Afghan families. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said the state had “a long history of welcoming refugees from around the world” and was “eager to continue that practice” with Afghan refugees. WATCH But with large numbers of people fleeing violence and poverty in Central America and other countries pushing recently across the border with Mexico, some conservatives are calling for a hard line against large numbers of Afghan refugees. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said he was “deeply disturbed” that thousands of Afghans could be transported to Fort McCoy in his state without appropriate screening and called on the White House to abandon “this dangerous ready-fire-aim plan.” And Fox News’ Tucker Carlson warned that admitting refugees now could eventually result in “millions” of Afghan immigrants. “So first we invade, and then we are invaded.” What obligation, if any, does the United States have to accept people from other countries who are fleeing for their lives? None legally. There is no international law that requires the United States to take in refugees. Yet, since the aftermath of World War II, it has played a leading role in welcoming refugees, especially from countries where it engaged militarily in the service of strategic and geopolitical considerations. Between 1945 and 1950, the United States admitted about 350,000 Europeans, mainly Jews who survived the Holocaust. President Dwight D. Eisenhower paroled some 40,000 Hungarians into the United States, and President John F. Kennedy went on to allow several hundred thousand Cubans opposed to the regime of Fidel Castro. Then came Vietnam and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of boat people after the fall of Saigon. Also read : Switzerland postpones evacuation plans as security at Kabul airport worsens In all of those cases, refugees were casualties of America’s Cold War campaign against communism, and they enjoyed a certain amount of public support. “During the ’80s, refugees are relatively popular because they are seen as a symbol of the superiority of our political and economic system,” said Serena Parekh, author of two books on refugees, including “No Refuge: Ethics and the Global Refugee Crisis,” published last year. “They are part of Cold War politics and play well into national interests.” In the late 1980s, the United States received tens of thousands of Soviet Jews and other religious minorities for whom the American public had sympathy. In the 1990s, there was an influx from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. But by the late 1990s, the Congressional Black Caucus was criticizing the program for not assisting enough Africans fleeing bloodshed in countries such as Somalia, forcing them to remain parked in teeming camps. Public attitudes toward refugees already were shifting, said Parekh, a professor at Northeastern University. “Refugees start to look more foreign or dissimilar to people in the U.S.,” she said. “Instead of being seen as people courageously fleeing persecution, they are seen as people who will be an economic burden.” Also read : From narco-terrorism to informal economy: The state-crime nexus of Afghanistan’s opium dilemma In response to 9/11, the United States invaded Afghanistan; two years later, it invaded Iraq. Back home, public concern grew when immigrants — not refugees — were involved in a handful of other deadly terror attacks. The administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama added layers of security checks to the application process. “The refugee program became so mired in red tape and extreme vetting that it looks like a program designed to keep people out of the United States rather than rescue them,” said Mark Hetfield, CEO of HIAS, a resettlement agency founded as Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and who has worked in the field for 32 years. After terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, more than 20 governors announced that their states would not accept refugees from Syria, fearing terrorist infiltrators. Not long after taking office, Trump slashed the refugee cap to 50,000 from the 110,000 set by Obama, and issued an executive order barring the entry of people from several predominantly Muslim countries. The next year, he set a ceiling of 45,000; fewer than half arrived amid tighter background checks and restrictions. Biden quickly began to undo his predecessor’s immigration policies, but rising public concern over the rapid increase in unauthorized crossings on the southwestern border prompted him to defer a plan to increase the cap on refugees this year. The delay forced 700 refugees, already screened and holding tickets, to be pulled off flights. There was swift rebuke from human rights activists and fellow Democrats, and within hours, the White House announced that the 2021 cap would be raised to 62,500. But it was not clear whether — given the pandemic, the program’s depletion by his predecessor and soaring numbers at the border — this number would be achieved. As of March 31, the latest data available, 20,829 Afghans, plus 52,799 family members, had received special immigrant visas since 2014 under a separate program created by Congress for those who could face reprisals for their work with U.S. troops. One of the Afghans who was evacuated and arrived in Houston this month, a 32-year-old interpreter who worked with a U.S. Marines platoon, said he managed to escape only days before his city, Gardez, south of Kabul, fell to the Taliban. “I am just worried for so many people still there,” said the man, who wanted to be identified only by his English nickname, Harry, out of fear for the relatives he left behind. “They are hiding, or moving their families from place to place.” Biden on Wednesday said the United States hoped to evacuate between 50,000 and 65,000 Afghan allies, including their families, and had approved an additional $500 million to help with “urgent refugee and migration needs.” Many of them will be directed to other countries for processing. How many Afghans will eventually be welcomed into the United States remains an open question, one that Crocker, the former diplomat, said is key to everything the United States tried to achieve during the war. “We owe it to Afghan females, the free media,” he said. “It’s for all those people we basically said to, ‘You go ahead and build a new, free open society and we will be here to see you get that done and that you get it done safely.’ “We have the moral obligation and the capacity to do it.”

50 years after Vietnam, thousands flee another lost American war

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle.

The Southeast Asia trip, also taking in Singapore and a virtual meeting with ASEAN regional representatives, was planned long before a Taliban victory last weekend triggered the US scramble from Afghanistan.

Harris has taken some flak, especially from right-wing commentators who see the choice of Vietnam as, at best, tone-deaf.

The writers of "Veep," a television comedy series satirizing a hapless vice president, "could not have scripted this better," tweeted Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary for president Donald Trump.

But US officials emphasize that the choice of Vietnam concerns geo-political challenges to come -- not the distant trauma of 1975 Saigon, when US helicopters ferried final evacuees from the embassy roof, as Viet Cong troops advanced.

The vice president "is focused on the threats of the future, not of the past," said a senior White House official, who asked not to be named.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-hill-bomb-threat-standoff-ends-as-suspect-surrenders-407037">Also read |&nbsp;Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders</a>

The official acknowledged that President Joe Biden's foreign policy focus is currently fixed on the crisis at Kabul airport, where a few thousand US troops are trying to evacuate potentially tens of thousands of US citizens and local allies.

But at a time when China is challenging US political sway and naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia is "strategically important and economically important to this country. That hasn't changed with Afghanistan," the White House official said.

"We can do more than one thing at a time."

Officials expressed confidence that the debacle in Afghanistan will not harm allies' trust in US commitment to far-reaching strategic goals across Asia.

"We are confident that our partners throughout the Indo-Pacific see the United States as a steadfast partner. And that's certainly going to be one of the things the vice president emphasizes on this trip," an official said.

Harris, an Asian-American whose mother was of Indian origin, will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam.

Before arriving in Hanoi late Tuesday, Harris will visit Singapore and meet, starting Monday, with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

She will also stop at the Changi Naval Base, where she'll address US sailors aboard the visiting USS Tulsa, underscoring American security commitments to Singapore.

Harris is set to hold Vietnamese government meetings on Wednesday and will attend the opening of a Southeast Asian regional branch of the US Centers for Disease Control.

The global response to the coronavirus pandemic is set to dominate a meeting of ASEAN nations that Harris will join.

In her final events on Thursday, Harris will meet civil society representatives in communist Vietnam to "underscore the importance we place on supporting civil society as a driver of social change," an official said.

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle.

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle. The Southeast Asia trip, also taking in Singapore and a virtual meeting with ASEAN regional representatives, was planned long before a Taliban victory last weekend triggered the US scramble from Afghanistan. Harris has taken some flak, especially from right-wing commentators who see the choice of Vietnam as, at best, tone-deaf. The writers of "Veep," a television comedy series satirizing a hapless vice president, "could not have scripted this better," tweeted Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary for president Donald Trump. But US officials emphasize that the choice of Vietnam concerns geo-political challenges to come -- not the distant trauma of 1975 Saigon, when US helicopters ferried final evacuees from the embassy roof, as Viet Cong troops advanced. The vice president "is focused on the threats of the future, not of the past," said a senior White House official, who asked not to be named. Also read | Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders The official acknowledged that President Joe Biden's foreign policy focus is currently fixed on the crisis at Kabul airport, where a few thousand US troops are trying to evacuate potentially tens of thousands of US citizens and local allies. But at a time when China is challenging US political sway and naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia is "strategically important and economically important to this country. That hasn't changed with Afghanistan," the White House official said. "We can do more than one thing at a time." Officials expressed confidence that the debacle in Afghanistan will not harm allies' trust in US commitment to far-reaching strategic goals across Asia. "We are confident that our partners throughout the Indo-Pacific see the United States as a steadfast partner. And that's certainly going to be one of the things the vice president emphasizes on this trip," an official said. Harris, an Asian-American whose mother was of Indian origin, will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam. Before arriving in Hanoi late Tuesday, Harris will visit Singapore and meet, starting Monday, with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. She will also stop at the Changi Naval Base, where she'll address US sailors aboard the visiting USS Tulsa, underscoring American security commitments to Singapore. Harris is set to hold Vietnamese government meetings on Wednesday and will attend the opening of a Southeast Asian regional branch of the US Centers for Disease Control. The global response to the coronavirus pandemic is set to dominate a meeting of ASEAN nations that Harris will join. In her final events on Thursday, Harris will meet civil society representatives in communist Vietnam to "underscore the importance we place on supporting civil society as a driver of social change," an official said.

In midst of Afghan crisis, US VP Harris visits Vietnam

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet virtually with Southeast Asian officials every day next week, a senior state department official said on Saturday, as Washington seeks to show the region it’s a US priority while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

The top US diplomat will attend virtual meetings for five consecutive days, including annual meetings of the 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other nations and separate meetings of the Lower Mekong subregion countries Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/singapore-says-asean-aims-to-speed-up-plan-to-end-myanmar-crisis-396602">Singapore says ASEAN aims to speed up plan to end Myanmar crisis</a>

"I think it's a clear demonstration of our commitment to the region," said the official, who briefed Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

In recent years top US officials have not always attended&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;meetings and have sometimes sent more junior officials to the region's summits.

The virtual meetings come after the Biden administration in its early days was seen as paying little attention to the region of more than 600 million people, which is often overshadowed by neighbouring economic giant China, which the administration sees as its major foreign policy challenge.

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But that has been partly addressed by recent visits to the region. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand in May and June, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Vietnam and the Philippines this week, and Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Singapore and Vietnam.

"That steady flow of high-level engagement is going to pay dividends. It's noticed," the official said, adding that countries in the region "notice when we don't show up and that's when you start hearing some complaining maybe about not taking them seriously or taking them for granted."

The official said that donations of COVID-19 vaccines to the region had been a "game changer in terms of how our image is perceived."

On Sunday, the United States shipped 3 million doses of the Moderna <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> to Vietnam and it has sent doses to other Southeast Asian countries too, but an agreement it reached in March with Japan and Australia and India to provide a billion doses to the region stalled due to an Indian export ban

By mid-next week the United States will have donated 23 million doses to countries in the region, which is experiencing a surge of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> with vaccination rates well below countries in the West, the official said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-ruler-pledges-elections-asean-cooperation-in-speech-six-months-after-coup-402105">Myanmar army ruler pledges elections, ASEAN cooperation in speech six months after coup</a>

But none of those doses have gone to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, where military generals staged a coup on Feb. 1 and detained elected leaders including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking sanctions from Washington and other Western capitals.

The meetings next week will see Blinken in the same virtual meetings as representatives of Myanmar’s military government, but the official said rather than bestowing legitimacy on those officials, this was an opportunity to get messages to the military government.

"We're not prepared to walk away from&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;because of the bad behavior of a group of generals in Burma," the official said, adding that US officials were also engaging with the National Unity Government that opposes the military government there.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet virtually with Southeast Asian officials every day next week, a senior state department official said on Saturday, as Washington seeks to show the region it’s a US priority while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet virtually with Southeast Asian officials every day next week, a senior state department official said on Saturday, as Washington seeks to show the region it’s a US priority while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar. The top US diplomat will attend virtual meetings for five consecutive days, including annual meetings of the 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other nations and separate meetings of the Lower Mekong subregion countries Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Also read | Singapore says ASEAN aims to speed up plan to end Myanmar crisis "I think it's a clear demonstration of our commitment to the region," said the official, who briefed Reuters on the condition of anonymity. In recent years top US officials have not always attended ASEAN meetings and have sometimes sent more junior officials to the region's summits. The virtual meetings come after the Biden administration in its early days was seen as paying little attention to the region of more than 600 million people, which is often overshadowed by neighbouring economic giant China, which the administration sees as its major foreign policy challenge. But that has been partly addressed by recent visits to the region. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand in May and June, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Vietnam and the Philippines this week, and Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Singapore and Vietnam. "That steady flow of high-level engagement is going to pay dividends. It's noticed," the official said, adding that countries in the region "notice when we don't show up and that's when you start hearing some complaining maybe about not taking them seriously or taking them for granted." The official said that donations of COVID-19 vaccines to the region had been a "game changer in terms of how our image is perceived." On Sunday, the United States shipped 3 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam and it has sent doses to other Southeast Asian countries too, but an agreement it reached in March with Japan and Australia and India to provide a billion doses to the region stalled due to an Indian export ban By mid-next week the United States will have donated 23 million doses to countries in the region, which is experiencing a surge of the coronavirus with vaccination rates well below countries in the West, the official said. Also read | Myanmar army ruler pledges elections, ASEAN cooperation in speech six months after coup But none of those doses have gone to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, where military generals staged a coup on Feb. 1 and detained elected leaders including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking sanctions from Washington and other Western capitals. The meetings next week will see Blinken in the same virtual meetings as representatives of Myanmar’s military government, but the official said rather than bestowing legitimacy on those officials, this was an opportunity to get messages to the military government. "We're not prepared to walk away from ASEAN because of the bad behavior of a group of generals in Burma," the official said, adding that US officials were also engaging with the National Unity Government that opposes the military government there.

US top diplomat Blinken to court Southeast Asia in virtual meetings next week

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal.

China claims practically the whole 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory, and it has blamed foreign warships for escalating tensions in the region.

Freedom of navigation operations (or FONOPs) are routinely conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to counter what Washington refers to as "attempts by coastal states to unjustly limit access to the seas."

Both the US and the UK have previously enraged China by conducting FONOPs in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: British warship to challenge Beijing in South China Sea

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The HMS Queen Elizabeth is escorted by six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer, and a Dutch frigate, and is carrying eight F-35B Lightning II fast jets, four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters on deck.

China has been carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. &nbsp;

Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The second is the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. &nbsp;

One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal. China claims practically the whole 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory, and it has blamed foreign warships for escalating tensions in the region. Freedom of navigation operations (or FONOPs) are routinely conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to counter what Washington refers to as "attempts by coastal states to unjustly limit access to the seas." Both the US and the UK have previously enraged China by conducting FONOPs in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights. Watch | Gravitas: British warship to challenge Beijing in South China Sea The HMS Queen Elizabeth is escorted by six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer, and a Dutch frigate, and is carrying eight F-35B Lightning II fast jets, four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters on deck. China has been carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The second is the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea. (With inputs from agencies)

UK warship ignores Beijing warnings and enters the South China Sea

Even as the trip details are not yet&nbsp;finalised,&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;may visit&nbsp;Vietnam and Singapore in&nbsp;coming&nbsp;August, a Reuters report said, citing&nbsp;a source familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

Harris agenda of the travel is highly likely to be&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic, said&nbsp;the source on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

Earlier, Harris visited a border patrol facility near the US-Mexico border and urged a focus on children and practical solutions to migration, in a trip meant to blunt Republican criticism of White House immigration policies.&nbsp;

The visit, her first since becoming vice president five months ago, came amid a rise in migrants caught crossing the border, which has sparked outrage from Republicans, who&nbsp;favour&nbsp;the stricter immigration policies implemented by former president Donald Trump.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, tasked Harris with spearheading his administration's handling of the broader issue of people fleeing Central American countries for the United States. She visited Guatemala and Mexico earlier this month.&nbsp;

"This issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. We're talking about children, we're talking about families, we're talking about suffering. And our approach has to be thoughtful and effective," Harris said at the conclusion of her short trip.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as the trip details are not yet finalised, Vice President Kamala Harris may visit Vietnam and Singapore in coming August, a Reuters report said, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Even as the trip details are not yet finalised, Vice President Kamala Harris may visit Vietnam and Singapore in coming August, a Reuters report said, citing a source familiar with the matter. Harris agenda of the travel is highly likely to be the coronavirus pandemic, said the source on condition of anonymity. Earlier, Harris visited a border patrol facility near the US-Mexico border and urged a focus on children and practical solutions to migration, in a trip meant to blunt Republican criticism of White House immigration policies. The visit, her first since becoming vice president five months ago, came amid a rise in migrants caught crossing the border, which has sparked outrage from Republicans, who favour the stricter immigration policies implemented by former president Donald Trump. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, tasked Harris with spearheading his administration's handling of the broader issue of people fleeing Central American countries for the United States. She visited Guatemala and Mexico earlier this month. "This issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. We're talking about children, we're talking about families, we're talking about suffering. And our approach has to be thoughtful and effective," Harris said at the conclusion of her short trip. (With inputs from agencies)

US Vice President Kamala Harris may visit Vietnam, Singapore in August: Report 

In a first, Vietnam has appointed an Honourary Consul General in Bengaluru as ties improve between the 2 countries. NS Srinivasa Murthy will be the first such appointment of honourary consul in India, and 19th globally by Vietnam.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Murthy said, "I will live up to expectations, to see that the interest of Vietnam is totally protected in the state of Karnataka".

He will serve as the honourary consul for a period of 3 years. He will be the Vietnam embassy's direct contact point in the state even as plans are afoot to increase direct connectivity between the state and the southeast Asian country.&nbsp;

Pointing out the reason behind it, the Vietnamese Ambassador in India Pham Sanh Chau said,"In order to expand the outreach of the Embassy of Vietnam to the state of Karnataka and the city of Bengaluru. This is a very big milestone between the relationship of Vietnam and India".

NS Srinivasa Murthy is a partner of NK Subbiah Shetty and sons, agarbatti manufacturers since 1932 and has in the past served as the president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of commerce and industry.

In a first, Vietnam has appointed an Honourary Consul General in Bengaluru as ties improve between the 2 countries. NS Srinivasa Murthy will be the first such appointment of honourary consul in India, and 19th globally by Vietnam.

In a first, Vietnam has appointed an Honourary Consul General in Bengaluru as ties improve between the 2 countries. NS Srinivasa Murthy will be the first such appointment of honourary consul in India, and 19th globally by Vietnam. Speaking to WION, Murthy said, "I will live up to expectations, to see that the interest of Vietnam is totally protected in the state of Karnataka". He will serve as the honourary consul for a period of 3 years. He will be the Vietnam embassy's direct contact point in the state even as plans are afoot to increase direct connectivity between the state and the southeast Asian country. Pointing out the reason behind it, the Vietnamese Ambassador in India Pham Sanh Chau said,"In order to expand the outreach of the Embassy of Vietnam to the state of Karnataka and the city of Bengaluru. This is a very big milestone between the relationship of Vietnam and India". NS Srinivasa Murthy is a partner of NK Subbiah Shetty and sons, agarbatti manufacturers since 1932 and has in the past served as the president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of commerce and industry.

In a first, Vietnam appoints Honourary Consul General in Bengaluru

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea. 
 
The map, which briefly features on the screens of a control room at a spy base in two episodes of the six-part show, depicts China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" and is displayed within the context of maritime claims in the region. 
 
"Netflix`s violations angered and hurt the feelings of the entire people of Vietnam," the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said in a statement on its website. 
 
"This is the third time in a row in the last 12 months that Netflix has been found to distribute movies and TV shows containing content which violate Vietnam`s sovereignty," said the statement, which was dated July 1. 
 
The 'nine-dash line' is a U-shaped feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its disputed claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. 
 
Chinese and Vietnamese ships have in recent years been embroiled in months-long standoffs in the disputed waterways. 
 
Netflix confirmed it had removed the show in Vietnam but said it remained available on the service in the rest of the world. 
 
"Following a written legal demand from the Vietnamese regulator, we have removed the licensed series, Pine Gap, from Netflix in Vietnam, to comply with local law," a Netflix spokesperson said. 
 
In October 2019, Vietnam pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable'&nbsp;from cinemas over a scene featuring a similar map showing the "nine-dash line". 
 
Vietnam`s broadcasting authority said the other two shows which it had raised as issues with Netflix were 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder', a 2019 Chinese rom-com, and the U.S. political drama 'Madam Secretary'. 
 
'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' was still visible on Netflix on Friday, although 'Madam Secretary' was not.

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea.

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea. The map, which briefly features on the screens of a control room at a spy base in two episodes of the six-part show, depicts China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" and is displayed within the context of maritime claims in the region. "Netflix`s violations angered and hurt the feelings of the entire people of Vietnam," the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said in a statement on its website. "This is the third time in a row in the last 12 months that Netflix has been found to distribute movies and TV shows containing content which violate Vietnam`s sovereignty," said the statement, which was dated July 1. The 'nine-dash line' is a U-shaped feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its disputed claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Chinese and Vietnamese ships have in recent years been embroiled in months-long standoffs in the disputed waterways. Netflix confirmed it had removed the show in Vietnam but said it remained available on the service in the rest of the world. "Following a written legal demand from the Vietnamese regulator, we have removed the licensed series, Pine Gap, from Netflix in Vietnam, to comply with local law," a Netflix spokesperson said. In October 2019, Vietnam pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a similar map showing the "nine-dash line". Vietnam`s broadcasting authority said the other two shows which it had raised as issues with Netflix were 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder', a 2019 Chinese rom-com, and the U.S. political drama 'Madam Secretary'. 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' was still visible on Netflix on Friday, although 'Madam Secretary' was not.

Vietnam orders Netflix to remove Australian spy show over South China Sea map

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. 
 
The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters. 
 
Japan is considering additional vaccine donations to Vietnam and Taiwan, and it plans to send doses to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand early next month, Motegi added. Taiwan received its first shipment of AstraZeneca doses earlier this month.

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters.

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters. Japan is considering additional vaccine donations to Vietnam and Taiwan, and it plans to send doses to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand early next month, Motegi added. Taiwan received its first shipment of AstraZeneca doses earlier this month.

Japan to ship 1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam on June 16

After being lauded as a model country for a successful fight against the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, Vietnam is now struggling to vaccinate its citizens.

Vietnam is now being attacked with a new wave of COVID-19, and has only been able to vaccinate one per cent of its population, out of 100 million.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/give-at-least-50-of-vaccine-doses-to-covax-programme-who-390032" hreflang="en">Give at least 50% of vaccine doses to Covax programme: WHO</a>

The authorities are now urging locals to donate money to the country’s ‘vaccine fund’ so that authorities can procure more doses and help vaccinate as many people as possible, at the earliest.

In order to make sure Vietnam’s economy continues to grow, like last year, the locals are also coming forward to donate whatever they can.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-pfizer-vaccine-trials-underway-for-kids-aged-5-to-11-years-390133">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-pfizer-vaccine-trials-underway-for-kids-aged-5-to-11-years-390133/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The locals have been receiving regular text messages asking for contributions and donations to the COVID-19 vaccine fund. In addition to this, the civil servants have been urged to donate one day’s pay to this fund.

Vietnam's government is hoping to procure 150 million vaccine doses by the end of this year through which they will be able to vaccinate nearly 70 per cent of the total population. This would cost nearly $1.1 billion, but the government has been able to collect only $640 million from the budget.

(With inputs from agencies)

After being lauded as a model country for a successful fight against the deadly coronavirus, Vietnam is now struggling to vaccinate its citizens. Vietnam is now being attacked with a new wave of COVID-19, and has only been able to vaccinate one per cent of its population, out of 100 million.

After being lauded as a model country for a successful fight against the deadly coronavirus, Vietnam is now struggling to vaccinate its citizens. Vietnam is now being attacked with a new wave of COVID-19, and has only been able to vaccinate one per cent of its population, out of 100 million. Also read | Give at least 50% of vaccine doses to Covax programme: WHO The authorities are now urging locals to donate money to the country’s ‘vaccine fund’ so that authorities can procure more doses and help vaccinate as many people as possible, at the earliest. In order to make sure Vietnam’s economy continues to grow, like last year, the locals are also coming forward to donate whatever they can. WATCH | The locals have been receiving regular text messages asking for contributions and donations to the COVID-19 vaccine fund. In addition to this, the civil servants have been urged to donate one day’s pay to this fund. Vietnam's government is hoping to procure 150 million vaccine doses by the end of this year through which they will be able to vaccinate nearly 70 per cent of the total population. This would cost nearly $1.1 billion, but the government has been able to collect only $640 million from the budget. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid coronavirus surge, Vietnam government urges donations for 'vaccine fund'

Vietnam's&nbsp;business hub&nbsp;Ho&nbsp;Chi&nbsp;Minh&nbsp;City&nbsp;will begin&nbsp;social&nbsp;distancing&nbsp;measures for 15 days starting from May 31 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the government said on Sunday.

The&nbsp;city&nbsp;has seen a rise in cases related to a religious mission that has recorded at least 125 positive tests, accounting for most of the&nbsp;city's infections, according to a government statement.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-reports-first-case-of-new-coronavirus-variant-353995">Vietnam reports first case of new coronavirus variant</a>

After successfully containing the virus for most of last year, infections in Vietnam have risen since late April, accounting for more than half of the total 7,107 registered cases among its population of 98 million. It still has one of the world's lowest cases, with a total of 47 deaths so far and authorities seem determined to keep it that way.

"All events that gather more than 10 people in public are banned&nbsp;city-wide, but the&nbsp;city&nbsp;is considering to lower the number of people to just five," the government said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spreads-through-air-vietnam-reports-new-variant-of-coronavirus-388243">'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus</a>

Go Vap district, where the Revival Ekklesia Mission is located, will be under full restrictions, and people there will not be allowed to go out unnecessarily, the statement said.

State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported&nbsp;Ho&nbsp;Chi&nbsp;Minh&nbsp;City&nbsp;authorities would conduct COVID-19 tests&nbsp;city-wide with a testing capacity&nbsp;of 100,000 samples per day.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/restaurants-to-close-in-largest-vietnamese-city-amid-new-covid-outbreak-388003">Restaurants to close in largest Vietnamese city amid new Covid outbreak</a>

"The&nbsp;city&nbsp;will prioritize testing high risk people first including workers in industrial parks and members of the religious mission," VNA reported.

"Ho&nbsp;Chi&nbsp;Minh&nbsp;City&nbsp;has done 50,000 tests so far. To date there are at least 62,000 people who&nbsp;came into contact with infected ones," it added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-extends-quarantine-for-arrivals-after-new-virus-outbreak-383059">Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak</a>

Ho&nbsp;Chi&nbsp;Minh&nbsp;City&nbsp;on Friday shut shops, restaurants and other services, and suspended religious activities until further notice, the&nbsp;city&nbsp;said in a statement. People 60 or older were encouraged to stay&nbsp;home, it also said.

The re-emergence of the virus with complicated clusters has prompted calls for the Vietnamese government and the&nbsp;city's authorities to accelerate vaccinations.

In a letter to US&nbsp;President Joe Biden on Sunday, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested both countries enhance cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine research, production and technology transfer, the government said in a statement.

Around 64,000 frontline workers among&nbsp;Ho&nbsp;Chi&nbsp;Minh&nbsp;City's 13 million residents have been given at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, official data showed.

Vietnam has received around 2.9 million doses from purchases and via the international COVAX sharing scheme and is seeking to secure millions more from foreign vaccine makers for its inoculation campaign.

The country's locally-produced COVID-19 shot enters Phase III human trials involving 13,000 volunteers in early June.

Vietnam's business hub Ho Chi Minh City will begin social distancing measures for 15 days starting from May 31 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the government said on Sunday.

Vietnam's business hub Ho Chi Minh City will begin social distancing measures for 15 days starting from May 31 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the government said on Sunday. The city has seen a rise in cases related to a religious mission that has recorded at least 125 positive tests, accounting for most of the city's infections, according to a government statement. Also Read | Vietnam reports first case of new coronavirus variant After successfully containing the virus for most of last year, infections in Vietnam have risen since late April, accounting for more than half of the total 7,107 registered cases among its population of 98 million. It still has one of the world's lowest cases, with a total of 47 deaths so far and authorities seem determined to keep it that way. "All events that gather more than 10 people in public are banned city-wide, but the city is considering to lower the number of people to just five," the government said. Also Read | 'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus Go Vap district, where the Revival Ekklesia Mission is located, will be under full restrictions, and people there will not be allowed to go out unnecessarily, the statement said. State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported Ho Chi Minh City authorities would conduct COVID-19 tests city-wide with a testing capacity of 100,000 samples per day. Also Read | Restaurants to close in largest Vietnamese city amid new Covid outbreak "The city will prioritize testing high risk people first including workers in industrial parks and members of the religious mission," VNA reported. "Ho Chi Minh City has done 50,000 tests so far. To date there are at least 62,000 people who came into contact with infected ones," it added. Also Read | Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak Ho Chi Minh City on Friday shut shops, restaurants and other services, and suspended religious activities until further notice, the city said in a statement. People 60 or older were encouraged to stay home, it also said. The re-emergence of the virus with complicated clusters has prompted calls for the Vietnamese government and the city's authorities to accelerate vaccinations. In a letter to US President Joe Biden on Sunday, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested both countries enhance cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine research, production and technology transfer, the government said in a statement. Around 64,000 frontline workers among Ho Chi Minh City's 13 million residents have been given at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, official data showed. Vietnam has received around 2.9 million doses from purchases and via the international COVAX sharing scheme and is seeking to secure millions more from foreign vaccine makers for its inoculation campaign. The country's locally-produced COVID-19 shot enters Phase III human trials involving 13,000 volunteers in early June.

Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City to enact social distancing

A new hybrid variant of the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=coronavirus">coronavirus</a> has been discovered in Vietnam that spreads through the air. This new variant is believed to be a combination of the two variants that were first detected in the UK and India.

"The characteristic of this strain is that it spreads quickly in the air. The concentration of virus in the throat fluid increases rapidly and spreads very strongly to the surrounding environment," Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long told local reporters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-update-malaysia-announces-complete-nationwide-lockdown-388177">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-update-malaysia-announces-complete-nationwide-lockdown-388177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Vietnam has been struggling to contain widespread of COVID-19, especially in the industrial areas and bigger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The variant has not been announced formally and the government is planning to make an announcement as per the world’s map of genetic strains.

Vietnam has been, previously, applauded for its quick and effective response against the deadly virus which has infected more than 6,700 people and caused 47 deaths in the country.

A new hybrid variant of the deadly coronavirus has been discovered in Vietnam that spreads through the air. This new variant is believed to be a combination of the two variants that were first detected in the UK and India.

A new hybrid variant of the deadly coronavirus has been discovered in Vietnam that spreads through the air. This new variant is believed to be a combination of the two variants that were first detected in the UK and India. "The characteristic of this strain is that it spreads quickly in the air. The concentration of virus in the throat fluid increases rapidly and spreads very strongly to the surrounding environment," Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long told local reporters. WATCH | Vietnam has been struggling to contain widespread of COVID-19, especially in the industrial areas and bigger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The variant has not been announced formally and the government is planning to make an announcement as per the world’s map of genetic strains. Vietnam has been, previously, applauded for its quick and effective response against the deadly virus which has infected more than 6,700 people and caused 47 deaths in the country.

'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Fewer independent candidates than before are standing in the election for the 500-seat National Assembly, which is held every five years and usually after the ruling Communist Party holds its congress to select a new leadership.

Nearly 69.2 million registered voters are expected to select from 866 candidates for the parliament. They will also vote for members of the people's councils at provincial and district levels.

"I hope all voters, knowing their role as the owners of the country, will join the vote to select the most trusted and worthy candidates to represent their voices," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said ahead of the election.

Of the candidates standing for the National Assembly, some 92% are party members and 8% are independents.

The number of independent candidates this year fell to 74 from the 97 in the previous elections in 2016, while local media say the number of assembly deputies who were not party members halved over the last three elections.

Official data show that 99% of Vietnam's 67.5 million registered voters participated in the 2016 elections. The ballot is anonymous, but each voter's name, age, occupation, ethnicity and address are posted outside polling centres.

The election is taking place as the Southeast Asian country is battling a new COVID-19 outbreak that is spreading rapidly, infecting around 2,000 people since it emerged in late April.

State media reports said voters in some remote areas and in a centralised quarantine centre in Bac Ninh province voted early on Saturday. The province is part of the epicentre of the new outbreak.

Organisers wearing hazmat suits were seen spraying disinfectant on a ballot box, which was then brought to each voter in the quarantine centre for the vote, a video clip on VTC News showed.

"This is the first time we have held an election amid the most dangerous coronavirus outbreak that has spread to nearly half of the number of provinces, with many of them under lockdown," Hue said.

Hue said the organisers of the election have taken measures to ensure the election will take place in a safe manner.

Election results are typically announced after about two weeks.

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Fewer independent candidates than before are standing in the election for the 500-seat National Assembly, which is held every five years and usually after the ruling Communist Party holds its congress to select a new leadership. Nearly 69.2 million registered voters are expected to select from 866 candidates for the parliament. They will also vote for members of the people's councils at provincial and district levels. "I hope all voters, knowing their role as the owners of the country, will join the vote to select the most trusted and worthy candidates to represent their voices," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said ahead of the election. Of the candidates standing for the National Assembly, some 92% are party members and 8% are independents. The number of independent candidates this year fell to 74 from the 97 in the previous elections in 2016, while local media say the number of assembly deputies who were not party members halved over the last three elections. Official data show that 99% of Vietnam's 67.5 million registered voters participated in the 2016 elections. The ballot is anonymous, but each voter's name, age, occupation, ethnicity and address are posted outside polling centres. The election is taking place as the Southeast Asian country is battling a new COVID-19 outbreak that is spreading rapidly, infecting around 2,000 people since it emerged in late April. State media reports said voters in some remote areas and in a centralised quarantine centre in Bac Ninh province voted early on Saturday. The province is part of the epicentre of the new outbreak. Organisers wearing hazmat suits were seen spraying disinfectant on a ballot box, which was then brought to each voter in the quarantine centre for the vote, a video clip on VTC News showed. "This is the first time we have held an election amid the most dangerous coronavirus outbreak that has spread to nearly half of the number of provinces, with many of them under lockdown," Hue said. Hue said the organisers of the election have taken measures to ensure the election will take place in a safe manner. Election results are typically announced after about two weeks.

Vietnam holds parliament election amid new COVID-19 outbreak

'All for love, love for all': Meet Luong The Huy, Vietnam's first openly-gay parliament candidate

Vietnam&nbsp;has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>.

The nation has so far kept case numbers low,&nbsp;recording&nbsp;just over 3,000 cases and 35 deaths, thanks to strict quarantine measures and extensive contact tracing.

But&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;reported its first community outbreak in weeks last Thursday, and other clusters have since emerged.

Several cases have been linked to people who tested positive after their two-week stay in hotel quarantine had ended.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vietnamese-envoy-gets-first-dose-of-indian-covid-19-vaccine-covaxin-377081">Vietnamese envoy gets first dose of Indian COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin</a>

"The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of mandatory quarantine for people who have made close contact with COVID-19 patients and people who have entered&nbsp;Vietnam," said health minister Nguyen Thanh Long.

The new quarantine period will be 21 days.

The announcement came after one of the country's best hospitals,&nbsp;which has treated many COVID-19 patients, went into lockdown Wednesday after a doctor tested positive for the virus.

Fourteen others at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi were later found to be infected.

About 800 medical workers, patients as well as any relatives who were visiting at the time the lockdown was announced must remain in the hospital for two weeks, authorities said.

Vietnam&nbsp;has also detected cases in the community of a COVID-19 variant believed to be behind a devastating surge in infections in India.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnams-pandemic-response-leader-sworn-in-as-president-375407">Vietnam's pandemic response leader sworn in as president</a>

The last community outbreak, centred on the northern city of Hai Duong, was successfully contained last month.

But the country has been on high alert amid a spiralling outbreak in other parts of Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Laos, which both share a border with&nbsp;Vietnam.

Vietnam has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the coronavirus.

Vietnam has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the coronavirus. The nation has so far kept case numbers low, recording just over 3,000 cases and 35 deaths, thanks to strict quarantine measures and extensive contact tracing. But Vietnam reported its first community outbreak in weeks last Thursday, and other clusters have since emerged. Several cases have been linked to people who tested positive after their two-week stay in hotel quarantine had ended. Also read | Vietnamese envoy gets first dose of Indian COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin "The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of mandatory quarantine for people who have made close contact with COVID-19 patients and people who have entered Vietnam," said health minister Nguyen Thanh Long. The new quarantine period will be 21 days. The announcement came after one of the country's best hospitals, which has treated many COVID-19 patients, went into lockdown Wednesday after a doctor tested positive for the virus. Fourteen others at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi were later found to be infected. About 800 medical workers, patients as well as any relatives who were visiting at the time the lockdown was announced must remain in the hospital for two weeks, authorities said. Vietnam has also detected cases in the community of a COVID-19 variant believed to be behind a devastating surge in infections in India. Also read | Vietnam's pandemic response leader sworn in as president The last community outbreak, centred on the northern city of Hai Duong, was successfully contained last month. But the country has been on high alert amid a spiralling outbreak in other parts of Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Laos, which both share a border with Vietnam.

Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak

The man behind Vietnam's successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, was formally sworn in as president in Hanoi on Monday.

Phuc, 66, was Vietnam's prime minister for the last five years, a period in which the economy boomed, and his government's Covid-19 response won plaudits at home and abroad.

Following secret voting on Monday, Phuc scored the maximum votes among the almost 500-member rubber-stamp national assembly.

"This is his well-deserved award," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnamese politics expert from New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington.

Authoritarian Vietnam is run by the Communist Party and officially led by the party general secretary, president, and prime minister, with key decisions made by the 18-member politburo.

Vietnam is in the midst of its twice-a-decade leadership transition, with 76-year-old Nguyen Phu Trong re-elected in January as party general secretary, the most important of the three roles.

Phuc was the only candidate nominated for president, as Trong -- who had held the presidency since 2018 after the sudden death of his predecessor -- stepped down.

The National Assembly said earlier this was "the first time ever a prime minister was nominated to the position of the president".

After his swearing in, Phuc told the nation he was "lucky and honoured" to be given the position, which is now only second to Trong in the power escalator.

Politburo leaders are usually expected to retire at 65, but Vietnam has bent the age rules for both of them.

Although the presidency is largely a ceremonial role, "Mr Phuc will now be the second-ranked member in the party which makes a strong case for him to claim the general secretary post if Mr Trong has to step down earlier than expected," Giang told AFP.

Rumours have swirled in recent years about Trong's health after he took a month-long absence in 2019.

According to Giang, Phuc's experience of "well managing Vietnam's relationship with the US under the turbulent administration of Donald Trump" will stand him in good stead for his foreign affairs responsibilities as president.

Phuc will later Monday designate a successor for the prime ministerial role.

Sources said the position will be given to Pham Minh Chinh, 62, a former deputy minister of public security.

The man behind Vietnam's successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, was formally sworn in as president in Hanoi on Monday. Phuc, 66, was Vietnam's prime minister for the last five years, a period in which the economy boomed, and his government's Covid-19 response won plaudits at home and abroad.

The man behind Vietnam's successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, was formally sworn in as president in Hanoi on Monday. Phuc, 66, was Vietnam's prime minister for the last five years, a period in which the economy boomed, and his government's Covid-19 response won plaudits at home and abroad. Following secret voting on Monday, Phuc scored the maximum votes among the almost 500-member rubber-stamp national assembly. "This is his well-deserved award," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnamese politics expert from New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington. Authoritarian Vietnam is run by the Communist Party and officially led by the party general secretary, president, and prime minister, with key decisions made by the 18-member politburo. Vietnam is in the midst of its twice-a-decade leadership transition, with 76-year-old Nguyen Phu Trong re-elected in January as party general secretary, the most important of the three roles. Phuc was the only candidate nominated for president, as Trong -- who had held the presidency since 2018 after the sudden death of his predecessor -- stepped down. The National Assembly said earlier this was "the first time ever a prime minister was nominated to the position of the president". After his swearing in, Phuc told the nation he was "lucky and honoured" to be given the position, which is now only second to Trong in the power escalator. Politburo leaders are usually expected to retire at 65, but Vietnam has bent the age rules for both of them. Although the presidency is largely a ceremonial role, "Mr Phuc will now be the second-ranked member in the party which makes a strong case for him to claim the general secretary post if Mr Trong has to step down earlier than expected," Giang told AFP. Rumours have swirled in recent years about Trong's health after he took a month-long absence in 2019. According to Giang, Phuc's experience of "well managing Vietnam's relationship with the US under the turbulent administration of Donald Trump" will stand him in good stead for his foreign affairs responsibilities as president. Phuc will later Monday designate a successor for the prime ministerial role. Sources said the position will be given to Pham Minh Chinh, 62, a former deputy minister of public security.

Vietnam's pandemic response leader sworn in as president

The year was 2013. China was dragged to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It faced a charge of threatening maritime entitlements and the status of features in the South China Sea. It was simply about breaking the law of the high seas.

The verdict came in 2016 and China was found guilty.

The court declared that China's 'nine-dash line' and its claim to historic rights in the South China Sea are both invalid under International Law.

It's been five years but after rejecting the ruling, China has continued to violate the law. It has built seven&nbsp;artificial islands in the South China Sea.

It is challenging maritime sovereignty of several countries. It violates the UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has become a menace in waters that host traffic worth $3.4 billion in annual trade.

Some of the world's leading democracies are coming together in alliances against China.

And then there are smaller but perhaps, more important stakeholders in the South China Sea. They are coming together to press China and call out its maritime militia.

The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte recently expressed his concerns to the Chinese ambassador.

Duterte's spokesperson said, "The president said we are really concerned. Any country will be concerned with that number of ships."

The Philippines is protesting what it calls China's 'swarming and threatening presence' at the Whitsun Reef. The Whitsun Reef is claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea under its nine-dash line. Now, China has reportedly moored over 200 vessels at the Whitsun Reef. All of these vehicles are within Manila's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

Manila claims that these vehicles are being manned by the Chinese maritime militia. And if that's not a provocation enough, reports says China has also begun construction activities on one of its artificial islands.

It is being called a 'prelude to occupation'. This artificial island is also within the Philippines' EEZ.&nbsp;

Take a look at this tweet...

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Satellite imagery shows land cleared for new Chinese construction on Subi Reef in South China Sea. <a href="https://twitter.com/SCMPNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCMPNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/ViCPRZnync">https://t.co/ViCPRZnync</a> <a href="https://t.co/oK6zZDZ8f6">pic.twitter.com/oK6zZDZ8f6</a>
— AMTI (@AsiaMTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsiaMTI/status/1374956712155746309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

While the Philippines called out Chinese aggressiveness at the Whitsun Reef, Vietnam was not far behind. Hanoi calls the reef- Da Ba Dau.

On 25th of March, it called on China to stop this violation and respect Vietnam's sovereignty.

Vietnam sent its coastguard vessels near the disputed area.

It said that the coastgard was 'exercising its duties as regulated by laws'.

The Philippines has deployed its air force.

China clearly is being challenged at sea. Things are not too comfortable in the mainland either.

Its crimes like the Uyghur genocide are being called out. The UK and the EU have already asked for access to Xinjiang. The UN is the latest to join the queue. The world body says that it is holding serious negotiations with China and that it wants unfettered access to Xinjiang.

"For us, it's important for the mission to take place, to be a mission that has unlimited access to what the human rights high commission want to visit. And this, of course, is the reason why a serious negotiation is at the present moment that taking place," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In February, the UN's Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet called for a thorough assessment of the situation in Xinjiang. She cited reports of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, sexual violence and forced labour. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Bachelet's visit is being negotiated.

Where does all of this leave China?

The countries Beijing tried to silence with its vaccine diplomacy are now calling China out. Its aggressive posturing is being challenged. The world bodies China tried to bribe are now highlighting the genocide in Xinjiang.

Is the world finally coming together to make China pay?

The year was 2013. China was dragged to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It faced a charge of threatening maritime entitlements and the status of features in the South China Sea.

The year was 2013. China was dragged to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It faced a charge of threatening maritime entitlements and the status of features in the South China Sea. It was simply about breaking the law of the high seas. The verdict came in 2016 and China was found guilty. The court declared that China's 'nine-dash line' and its claim to historic rights in the South China Sea are both invalid under International Law. It's been five years but after rejecting the ruling, China has continued to violate the law. It has built seven artificial islands in the South China Sea. It is challenging maritime sovereignty of several countries. It violates the UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has become a menace in waters that host traffic worth $3.4 billion in annual trade. Some of the world's leading democracies are coming together in alliances against China. And then there are smaller but perhaps, more important stakeholders in the South China Sea. They are coming together to press China and call out its maritime militia. The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte recently expressed his concerns to the Chinese ambassador. Duterte's spokesperson said, "The president said we are really concerned. Any country will be concerned with that number of ships." The Philippines is protesting what it calls China's 'swarming and threatening presence' at the Whitsun Reef. The Whitsun Reef is claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. China claims almost the entire South China Sea under its nine-dash line. Now, China has reportedly moored over 200 vessels at the Whitsun Reef. All of these vehicles are within Manila's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. Manila claims that these vehicles are being manned by the Chinese maritime militia. And if that's not a provocation enough, reports says China has also begun construction activities on one of its artificial islands. It is being called a 'prelude to occupation'. This artificial island is also within the Philippines' EEZ. Take a look at this tweet... Satellite imagery shows land cleared for new Chinese construction on Subi Reef in South China Sea. @SCMPNews https://t.co/ViCPRZnync pic.twitter.com/oK6zZDZ8f6 — AMTI (@AsiaMTI) March 25, 2021 × While the Philippines called out Chinese aggressiveness at the Whitsun Reef, Vietnam was not far behind. Hanoi calls the reef- Da Ba Dau. On 25th of March, it called on China to stop this violation and respect Vietnam's sovereignty. Vietnam sent its coastguard vessels near the disputed area. It said that the coastgard was 'exercising its duties as regulated by laws'. The Philippines has deployed its air force. China clearly is being challenged at sea. Things are not too comfortable in the mainland either. Its crimes like the Uyghur genocide are being called out. The UK and the EU have already asked for access to Xinjiang. The UN is the latest to join the queue. The world body says that it is holding serious negotiations with China and that it wants unfettered access to Xinjiang. "For us, it's important for the mission to take place, to be a mission that has unlimited access to what the human rights high commission want to visit. And this, of course, is the reason why a serious negotiation is at the present moment that taking place," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In February, the UN's Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet called for a thorough assessment of the situation in Xinjiang. She cited reports of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, sexual violence and forced labour. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Bachelet's visit is being negotiated. Where does all of this leave China? The countries Beijing tried to silence with its vaccine diplomacy are now calling China out. Its aggressive posturing is being challenged. The world bodies China tried to bribe are now highlighting the genocide in Xinjiang. Is the world finally coming together to make China pay?

Is World coming together against China in South China Sea?

China is carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

Let us get to know about the strategic importance of the South China Sea and Beijing's never-ending nefarious activities in the region.&nbsp;

South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. &nbsp;

Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.&nbsp;

The second are the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. &nbsp;

One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea.&nbsp;

It uses a map from the 1940s to justify its territorial claims and military aggression aimed at making others accept its claims. &nbsp;

In March 2020, Chinese vessels rammed into a Taiwanese coast guard ship. In April 2020, a Chinese surveillance ship hit and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat.&nbsp;

The next month, China deployed an exploration vessel near Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. The frequency of harassment increased throughout 2020. Beijing strengthened its position amid the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

China established new administrative districts in the disputed waters with official Chinese names. At least 25 islands and reefs in the South China Sea have been named in Mandarin.&nbsp;

The Global Times says the standardisation of names reflects China's sovereignty over them and to further strengthen these claims of sovereignty. China has established several artificial or man-made islands like the Fiery Cross and the Subi Reef, where Chinese research stations are conducting field navigation and scientific surveys.&nbsp;

Now, reports have emerged that Chinese maritime militias are operating in the area. These militias are primarily fishing vessels that are being used to augment the Chinese navy's operations.&nbsp;

The vessels possess sophisticated communication and GPS technology. They use swarm warfare tactics to enhance China's nefarious endeavours and assert Beijing's territorial claims. &nbsp;

These militias have become a critical feature of China's expansionist strategy and could trigger a fresh flare-up in the tense South China Sea.&nbsp;

China is carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea.

China is carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea. Let us get to know about the strategic importance of the South China Sea and Beijing's never-ending nefarious activities in the region. South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The second are the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea. It uses a map from the 1940s to justify its territorial claims and military aggression aimed at making others accept its claims. In March 2020, Chinese vessels rammed into a Taiwanese coast guard ship. In April 2020, a Chinese surveillance ship hit and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat. The next month, China deployed an exploration vessel near Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. The frequency of harassment increased throughout 2020. Beijing strengthened its position amid the coronavirus pandemic. China established new administrative districts in the disputed waters with official Chinese names. At least 25 islands and reefs in the South China Sea have been named in Mandarin. The Global Times says the standardisation of names reflects China's sovereignty over them and to further strengthen these claims of sovereignty. China has established several artificial or man-made islands like the Fiery Cross and the Subi Reef, where Chinese research stations are conducting field navigation and scientific surveys. Now, reports have emerged that Chinese maritime militias are operating in the area. These militias are primarily fishing vessels that are being used to augment the Chinese navy's operations. The vessels possess sophisticated communication and GPS technology. They use swarm warfare tactics to enhance China's nefarious endeavours and assert Beijing's territorial claims. These militias have become a critical feature of China's expansionist strategy and could trigger a fresh flare-up in the tense South China Sea.

Why South China Sea is a hotbed of confrontation

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