Malaysia will start a nationwide demonstration of 5G projects next month, a minister said on Tuesday, indicating it was on track to become one of the first Asian countries to launch the technology.

The government has said it wants to start rolling out the ultra-fast mobile internet service early next year and, unlike Vietnam and some developed nations, is not averse to letting its telecoms companies work with China's Huawei.

Huawei, the world's largest telecoms equipment maker, was put on a US blacklist in May after Washington said its equipment could be used for spying, a charge the company denies.

That put pressure on many other countries to follow suit. But Malaysia, a nation of 32 million people, has said it is not concerned about the spying allegations, focusing instead on the relative affordability of Huawei products.

"It is hoped that Malaysia's early commitment to 5G, to rapidly deploying 5G testbeds and nationwide demonstration projects, will position the country as one of the leaders of 5G adoption in the world," Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's minister of communications and multimedia, said at an industry event.

Industry lobby group GSMA said in a report on Tuesday that by 2025 a fifth of the total cellular connections in Malaysia will be on 5G, higher than the 17 per cent forecast for the whole of Asia Pacific.

Huawei already has preliminary 5G agreements with Malaysian companies such as Axiata's Celcom, Telekom Malaysia and Maxis.

The Shenzhen-based company expects the memorandums of understanding (MoU) to lead to contracts, a Huawei official said.

"We are ready to cooperate with our partners as Malaysia prepares to launch 5G services," he said on condition of anonymity because of company policy. "Our strengths are our technology, cost, and delivery."

Huawei's main competitor in 5G is Sweden's Ericsson, which together with Celcom powered the first 5G hologram call in Malaysia last April. The other major players are the Finnish company Nokia and China's ZTE.

China's big three state telecoms companies are racing to roll out 5G services in more than 50 cities this year. Some countries, including South Korea and the United States, have already started the service, which promises to support new technologies such as autonomous driving.

Malaysia will start a nationwide demonstration of 5G projects next month, a minister said on Tuesday, indicating it was on track to become one of the first Asian countries to launch the technology.

Malaysia will start a nationwide demonstration of 5G projects next month, a minister said on Tuesday, indicating it was on track to become one of the first Asian countries to launch the technology. The government has said it wants to start rolling out the ultra-fast mobile internet service early next year and, unlike Vietnam and some developed nations, is not averse to letting its telecoms companies work with China's Huawei. Huawei, the world's largest telecoms equipment maker, was put on a US blacklist in May after Washington said its equipment could be used for spying, a charge the company denies. That put pressure on many other countries to follow suit. But Malaysia, a nation of 32 million people, has said it is not concerned about the spying allegations, focusing instead on the relative affordability of Huawei products. "It is hoped that Malaysia's early commitment to 5G, to rapidly deploying 5G testbeds and nationwide demonstration projects, will position the country as one of the leaders of 5G adoption in the world," Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's minister of communications and multimedia, said at an industry event. Industry lobby group GSMA said in a report on Tuesday that by 2025 a fifth of the total cellular connections in Malaysia will be on 5G, higher than the 17 per cent forecast for the whole of Asia Pacific. Huawei already has preliminary 5G agreements with Malaysian companies such as Axiata's Celcom, Telekom Malaysia and Maxis. The Shenzhen-based company expects the memorandums of understanding (MoU) to lead to contracts, a Huawei official said. "We are ready to cooperate with our partners as Malaysia prepares to launch 5G services," he said on condition of anonymity because of company policy. "Our strengths are our technology, cost, and delivery." Huawei's main competitor in 5G is Sweden's Ericsson, which together with Celcom powered the first 5G hologram call in Malaysia last April. The other major players are the Finnish company Nokia and China's ZTE. China's big three state telecoms companies are racing to roll out 5G services in more than 50 cities this year. Some countries, including South Korea and the United States, have already started the service, which promises to support new technologies such as autonomous driving.

Malaysia's 5G plan a potential boon for China's Huawei

China has again intruded in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone(EEZ), the third major intrusion this year. The intrusion, according to Vietnam government sources began on September 7 and is underway with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-says-deeply-concerned-about-developments-in-south-china-sea-244942"> Chinese ships</a> along with coast guards still present.&nbsp;

The previous two intrusions had taken place on July 3 and August 13. &nbsp;On July 3, Chinese ship Hauyang Dihi Bahao escorted by Chinese coast guard entered in Hanoi's EEZ but left on August 7, it was followed by the second incursion that started on August 13 and ended on September 2.

Hanoi is mulling a number of actions including excercising legal option against China with the source saying, "can't rule out anything".

The first and second intrusion saw Chinese boats being placed near<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-intrudes-into-vietnams-economic-zone-places-coast-guards-near-ongc-block-244631"> ONGC Videsh Ltd's block</a>. The July 3 intrusion was closest to the ONGC block while the current case that began on September 7 saw Chinese ships near Vietnam's mainland.

Vietnam has raised these intrusions with China through the various diplomatic channel almost forty times. Ten countries have so far reacted to Chinese intrusion in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone which include India, US, France, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, EU and ASEAN.

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "South China Sea is part of the global commons. &nbsp;India, therefore, has an abiding interest in the peace and stability in the region."

Reiterating that India stands for "freedom of navigation and over-flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the international waters in accordance with international laws, notably UNCLOS", the foreign affairs spokesman&nbsp;added that "differences must be resolved peacefully by respecting the legal and diplomatic processes, and without resorting to threat or use of force."

This year has seen the the third major escalation by the Chinese side into Vietnam's EEZ. Earlier in 2011 and 2014, Bejing had intruded into Vietnam's EEZ . In 2011, China had cut Vietnamese cables and in 2014 Beijing had placed a drilling platform which was later withdrawn.

China has again intruded in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone(EEZ), the third major intrusion this year. The intrusion, according to Vietnam government sources began on September 7 and is underway with Chinese ships along with coast guards still present.

China has again intruded in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone(EEZ), the third major intrusion this year. The intrusion, according to Vietnam government sources began on September 7 and is underway with Chinese ships along with coast guards still present. The previous two intrusions had taken place on July 3 and August 13. On July 3, Chinese ship Hauyang Dihi Bahao escorted by Chinese coast guard entered in Hanoi's EEZ but left on August 7, it was followed by the second incursion that started on August 13 and ended on September 2. Hanoi is mulling a number of actions including excercising legal option against China with the source saying, "can't rule out anything". The first and second intrusion saw Chinese boats being placed near ONGC Videsh Ltd's block. The July 3 intrusion was closest to the ONGC block while the current case that began on September 7 saw Chinese ships near Vietnam's mainland. Vietnam has raised these intrusions with China through the various diplomatic channel almost forty times. Ten countries have so far reacted to Chinese intrusion in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone which include India, US, France, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, EU and ASEAN. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "South China Sea is part of the global commons. India, therefore, has an abiding interest in the peace and stability in the region." Reiterating that India stands for "freedom of navigation and over-flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the international waters in accordance with international laws, notably UNCLOS", the foreign affairs spokesman added that "differences must be resolved peacefully by respecting the legal and diplomatic processes, and without resorting to threat or use of force." This year has seen the the third major escalation by the Chinese side into Vietnam's EEZ. Earlier in 2011 and 2014, Bejing had intruded into Vietnam's EEZ . In 2011, China had cut Vietnamese cables and in 2014 Beijing had placed a drilling platform which was later withdrawn.

China intrudes into Vietnam's exclusive economic zone for the third time this year

China hits back at Vietnam and Australia. Watch video to know more.

China hits back at Vietnam and Australia

Vietnam is "deeply concerned" about recent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-criticises-militarisation-of-south-china-sea-240822">developments in the South China Sea</a>, the Southeast Asian country's prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, said on Friday.

Vietnamese and Chinese vessels have since early July been locked in a tense standoff in Vietnamese-controlled waters in the South China Sea, where a Chinese vessel appeared to have been conducting a seismic survey.

The United States also said on Thursday it was deeply concerned about China's interference in oil and gas activities in waters claimed by Vietnam, and that the deployment of the vessels was "an escalation by Beijing in its efforts to intimidate other claimants out of developing resources in the South China Sea."

Phuc was speaking at a press conference alongside his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, who is in Hanoi for a three-day visit.

Vietnam is "deeply concerned" about recent developments in the South China Sea, the Southeast Asian country's prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, said on Friday. Vietnamese and Chinese vessels have since early July been locked in a tense standoff in Vietnamese-controlled waters in the South China Sea, where a Chinese vessel appeared to have been conducting a seismic survey.

Vietnam is "deeply concerned" about recent developments in the South China Sea, the Southeast Asian country's prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, said on Friday. Vietnamese and Chinese vessels have since early July been locked in a tense standoff in Vietnamese-controlled waters in the South China Sea, where a Chinese vessel appeared to have been conducting a seismic survey. The United States also said on Thursday it was deeply concerned about China's interference in oil and gas activities in waters claimed by Vietnam, and that the deployment of the vessels was "an escalation by Beijing in its efforts to intimidate other claimants out of developing resources in the South China Sea." Phuc was speaking at a press conference alongside his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, who is in Hanoi for a three-day visit.

Vietnam says 'deeply concerned' about developments in South China Sea

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-intrudes-into-vietnams-economic-zone-places-coast-guards-near-ongc-block-244631">China intrudes into Vietnam's economic zone, places Coast Guards near ONGC block</a> 
 
Bejing has placed two of its coast guard ships near ONGC's block.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-waterways-wont-be-safe-if-iran-oil-exports-cut-to-zero-president-rouhani-244636">International waterways won't be safe if Iran oil exports cut to zero: President Rouhani</a> 
 
Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of the British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-take-all-necessary-measures-including-sanctions-on-us-companies-involved-in-arms-sale-to-taiwan-china-244609">Will take all necessary measures including sanctions on US companies involved in arms sale to Taiwan: China</a> 
 
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said in a statement that President Donald Trump had green-lighted the proposed sale after Congress was notified last week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-consulate-employee-in-hong-kong-being-held-in-china-foreign-ministry-244603">UK consulate employee in Hong Kong being held in China: Foreign ministry</a> 
 
Geng said the employee was from Hong Kong and therefore the issue was an internal matter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-minister-iaf-chief-to-visit-france-to-receive-first-indian-rafale-fighter-plane-244646">Rajnath Singh, IAF chief to visit France to receive first Indian Rafale fighter plane</a> 
 
India has signed a deal with France for the acquisition of 36 Rafale combat jets from France, which will start arriving India from May next year.

China intrudes into Vietnam's economic zone, places Coast Guards near ONGC block Bejing has placed two of its coast guard ships near ONGC's block. International waterways won't be safe if Iran oil exports cut to zero: President Rouhani Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of the British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels.

China intrudes into Vietnam's economic zone, places Coast Guards near ONGC block Bejing has placed two of its coast guard ships near ONGC's block. International waterways won't be safe if Iran oil exports cut to zero: President Rouhani Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of the British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels. Will take all necessary measures including sanctions on US companies involved in arms sale to Taiwan: China Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said in a statement that President Donald Trump had green-lighted the proposed sale after Congress was notified last week. UK consulate employee in Hong Kong being held in China: Foreign ministry Geng said the employee was from Hong Kong and therefore the issue was an internal matter. Rajnath Singh, IAF chief to visit France to receive first Indian Rafale fighter plane India has signed a deal with France for the acquisition of 36 Rafale combat jets from France, which will start arriving India from May next year.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The death toll from a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/police-among-18-feared-killed-in-landslide-at-myanmar-jade-mine-238967"> landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar </a>rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss.&nbsp;

Myanmar's monsoon season brings an annual torrent of heavy downpours, which often leaves tens of thousands displaced from flooded homes and triggering deadly landslides across its more hilly regions.

A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes.

Search and rescue teams worked through the night with excavators and their bare hands trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge, continuing through Saturday.&nbsp;

'We found 34 dead, and the search for dead bodies is still ongoing,' local administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP.

So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing.&nbsp;

Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide.

The village's hillside temple was left inundated, leaving the pagoda's golden spire peeking out from beneath the mud.

Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found.

She only survived because she had left her home minutes earlier to go look at the flooding nearby.

'I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud,' she said, crying.

Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on. 
&nbsp; 
Tin Htay described how he and his family managed to escape when the landslide hit his house and his efforts to rescue others trapped by the mud.

'I dragged a woman and two children from a car but I could not reach two other people, so I had to leave them,' the 30-year-old said.

Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge.

Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides.

In the town of Shwegyin in the eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes.

Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zip line to carry dozens of others to safety.

The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss.

The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss. Myanmar's monsoon season brings an annual torrent of heavy downpours, which often leaves tens of thousands displaced from flooded homes and triggering deadly landslides across its more hilly regions. A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes. Search and rescue teams worked through the night with excavators and their bare hands trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge, continuing through Saturday. 'We found 34 dead, and the search for dead bodies is still ongoing,' local administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP. So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing. Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide. The village's hillside temple was left inundated, leaving the pagoda's golden spire peeking out from beneath the mud. Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found. She only survived because she had left her home minutes earlier to go look at the flooding nearby. 'I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud,' she said, crying. Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on. Tin Htay described how he and his family managed to escape when the landslide hit his house and his efforts to rescue others trapped by the mud. 'I dragged a woman and two children from a car but I could not reach two other people, so I had to leave them,' the 30-year-old said. Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge. Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides. In the town of Shwegyin in the eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes. Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zip line to carry dozens of others to safety.

Myanmar landslide kills 34, many more feared missing

The "militarisation" of the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-urges-eu-to-reflect-political-reality-on-brexit-240580&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivx_-EvuvjAhWlguYKHeKICEkQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PAaakwrM63BR3VlOdjNlx">European Union</a>'s top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region.

China&nbsp;has been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich&nbsp;sea, sparking ire from other claimants.

On Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc was concerned over "increasing tension" in the area.

"We believe that this tension, this&nbsp;militarisation, is definitely not conducive to a peaceful environment," she added.&nbsp;

Beijing says it has sovereignty over the majority of the&nbsp;sea-based on the so-called nine-dash line it uses to back its claims.

The long-running spat was centre stage at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers last week, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to push back against Chinese "coercion" in the&nbsp;sea.

Hanoi has emerged as one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the waterway, a key global shipping route believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves.

Tensions between the communist neighbours have soared after a Chinese geological survey vessel entered waters around the Spratly Islands claimed by Hanoi in early July.

Vietnam has repeatedly called for the ship to leave, while Beijing has refused to confirm the vessel's presence.&nbsp;

It is not clear if the ship remains in Vietnam-claimed waters, and the foreign ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

The US,&nbsp;EU&nbsp;and Australia have all called for freedom of navigation in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea, which is also contested by Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

The "militarisation" of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the European Union's top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region.

The "militarisation" of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the European Union's top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region. China has been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich sea, sparking ire from other claimants. On Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc was concerned over "increasing tension" in the area. "We believe that this tension, this militarisation, is definitely not conducive to a peaceful environment," she added. Beijing says it has sovereignty over the majority of the sea-based on the so-called nine-dash line it uses to back its claims. The long-running spat was centre stage at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers last week, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to push back against Chinese "coercion" in the sea. Hanoi has emerged as one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the waterway, a key global shipping route believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves. Tensions between the communist neighbours have soared after a Chinese geological survey vessel entered waters around the Spratly Islands claimed by Hanoi in early July. Vietnam has repeatedly called for the ship to leave, while Beijing has refused to confirm the vessel's presence. It is not clear if the ship remains in Vietnam-claimed waters, and the foreign ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment. The US, EU and Australia have all called for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which is also contested by Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

European Union criticises 'militarisation' of South China Sea

Vietnam will contend with severe power shortages from 2021 as electricity demand outpaces construction of new power plants in the Southeast Asian country, the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Reuters on Wednesday.

The lack of energy infrastructure could put the brakes on foreign investment inflows into one of Asia's fastest-growing economies and challenge Vietnam's position as the top beneficiary of the US-China trade war.

Vietnam's demand for electricity will exceed its supply by 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2021, increasing to 15 billion kWh by 2023, equivalent to about 5% of forecasted demand for electricity then, the ministry said in an emailed statement.

In addition to the shortfall, many energy projects in Vietnam have been facing long delays, the ministry told Reuters.

"Developers are facing difficulties securing sufficient funds from local sources, and the government has limited its guarantee for foreign loans," the ministry statement said.

Vietnam will need an average of $6.7 billion a year to expand its annual power generation capacity by 10% between 2016 and 2030, it added.&nbsp;

"This is a big challenge, given that current electricity prices in Vietnam are barely enough for the developers to make a profit," the statement said.

Last month, state media said 47 of Vietnam's 62 electric generation projects of 200 megawatts (MW) or more faced delays, with some at least two years behind schedule.

With a population of 96 million and annual gross domestic product growth of about 7% backed by robust foreign investment and exports, Vietnam's power generation will need to rise from about 48,600 MW currently to 60,000 MW by 2020 and 129,500 MW by 2030, according to government data.

Daine Loh, power and renewables analyst at Fitch Solutions, said the potential power shortage will pose some degree of risk to Vietnam's manufacturing sector, but the shortage won't be significant enough to have a severe impact on foreign investment into the country.

"We believe that Vietnam will have the capacity to resolve their power shortages by increasing electricity imports over the coming years, which will come largely from Laos and China," Loh said on Wednesday.

She said Vietnam already has some infrastructure in place to buy around 1 GW of electricity a year from its neighbours.&nbsp;

The World Bank last year said that Vietnam needs to invest up to $150 billion by 2030, almost twice the $80 billion spent on its power sector since 2010.

Vietnam is increasingly reliant on coal, which makes up 38.1% of the country's generating capacity, the ministry said, adding that Vietnam will have to use 720 million tonnes of domestic coal in addition to 680 million tonnes of imported coal to feed its power plants during the 2016-2030 period.

It will also have to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its power plants, the ministry said, and the power shortage is expected to subside gradually after 2025 when several new gas-fired power plants go online.

Fitch Solutions'&nbsp;Loh said the key risks to foreign investment and other economic benefits in Vietnam are more likely to stem from political factors, referring to ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.

&nbsp;

Vietnam will contend with severe power shortages from 2021 as electricity demand outpaces construction of new power plants in the Southeast Asian country, the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Reuters on Wednesday.

Vietnam will contend with severe power shortages from 2021 as electricity demand outpaces construction of new power plants in the Southeast Asian country, the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Reuters on Wednesday. The lack of energy infrastructure could put the brakes on foreign investment inflows into one of Asia's fastest-growing economies and challenge Vietnam's position as the top beneficiary of the US-China trade war. Vietnam's demand for electricity will exceed its supply by 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2021, increasing to 15 billion kWh by 2023, equivalent to about 5% of forecasted demand for electricity then, the ministry said in an emailed statement. In addition to the shortfall, many energy projects in Vietnam have been facing long delays, the ministry told Reuters. "Developers are facing difficulties securing sufficient funds from local sources, and the government has limited its guarantee for foreign loans," the ministry statement said. Vietnam will need an average of $6.7 billion a year to expand its annual power generation capacity by 10% between 2016 and 2030, it added. "This is a big challenge, given that current electricity prices in Vietnam are barely enough for the developers to make a profit," the statement said. Last month, state media said 47 of Vietnam's 62 electric generation projects of 200 megawatts (MW) or more faced delays, with some at least two years behind schedule. With a population of 96 million and annual gross domestic product growth of about 7% backed by robust foreign investment and exports, Vietnam's power generation will need to rise from about 48,600 MW currently to 60,000 MW by 2020 and 129,500 MW by 2030, according to government data. Daine Loh, power and renewables analyst at Fitch Solutions, said the potential power shortage will pose some degree of risk to Vietnam's manufacturing sector, but the shortage won't be significant enough to have a severe impact on foreign investment into the country. "We believe that Vietnam will have the capacity to resolve their power shortages by increasing electricity imports over the coming years, which will come largely from Laos and China," Loh said on Wednesday. She said Vietnam already has some infrastructure in place to buy around 1 GW of electricity a year from its neighbours. The World Bank last year said that Vietnam needs to invest up to $150 billion by 2030, almost twice the $80 billion spent on its power sector since 2010. Vietnam is increasingly reliant on coal, which makes up 38.1% of the country's generating capacity, the ministry said, adding that Vietnam will have to use 720 million tonnes of domestic coal in addition to 680 million tonnes of imported coal to feed its power plants during the 2016-2030 period. It will also have to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its power plants, the ministry said, and the power shortage is expected to subside gradually after 2025 when several new gas-fired power plants go online. Fitch Solutions' Loh said the key risks to foreign investment and other economic benefits in Vietnam are more likely to stem from political factors, referring to ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.

Vietnam will face severe power shortages from 2021: Ministry

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said maritime problems involving Vietnam should not interfere with bilateral relations, according to a report released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tensions between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-outsiders-not-to-sow-distrust-in-south-china-sea-239750&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJo8nOseHjAhVH_XMBHfosBk4QFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1m7dDqekgrr56MzmR6XYoq">Vietnam and China</a> have risen over a weeks-long standoff between ships near an offshore oil block in the South China Sea.

China released the statement following a meeting between Wang and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Thursday in Bangkok. Wang said China-Vietnam relations continued to develop and the two sides will "properly control and manage the situation at sea."

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said maritime problems involving Vietnam should not interfere with bilateral relations, according to a report released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said maritime problems involving Vietnam should not interfere with bilateral relations, according to a report released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tensions between Vietnam and China have risen over a weeks-long standoff between ships near an offshore oil block in the South China Sea. China released the statement following a meeting between Wang and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Thursday in Bangkok. Wang said China-Vietnam relations continued to develop and the two sides will "properly control and manage the situation at sea."

Vietnam 'maritime problems' should not impinge on bilateral ties: China

China’s latest move in the South China Sea has further riled up tense atmosphere prevailing in the region.&nbsp;

This time it is Vietnam. Vietnam claims that Chinese seismic survey vehicle Haiyang Dizhi 8 conducted marine surveys in Vietnam’s water.&nbsp;

It further claims that China conducted activities to obstruct Vietnam’s oil and gas exploration at Block 06/1 which lies within Vietnam’s EEZ and CS, where this exploration has taken place for decades. Vietnam has claimed that on July 4, 2019, multiple Chinese vessels escorted Haiyan Dizhi and at a point of time were 35 in number. It is claimed that the main vessel was assisted by a large fleet of Coast Guard, fishing, transport and towing vessels.

As of now, 10 to 12 Chinese vessels are still in the area which is near a joint venture run by PetroVietnam, Russia’s Rosneft and India’s ONGC which is involved in regular oil and gas production from past 17 years.

Vietnam expects India to exert itself on this issue as the matter is being taken very seriously by the Vietnamese government. Such was the intensity of the brush at the sea that Chinese vessels utilised water cannons against Vietnamese vessels. Chinese premier Xi Jinping is expected to visit India in October to have a one-on-one session with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. In this context, it would be interesting to see what sort of response comes from the Ministry of External Affairs in its next press conference on Thursday.

Vietnam has taken up this issue at various forums, but does not want the issue to escalate. The idea is to reclaim the situation without China making it an ego issue. China and Vietnam have a trading relationship worth around 106 billion dollars. Vietnam wants the world to know what is happening in its water, without provoking a&nbsp;larger confrontation with the big neighbour. Vietnam wants it bigger friends like India and others to speak on the issue. India in past too has asserted that rule-based order must be respected.

The nearest location of the seismic survey operation, as per Vietnam, is 36 nautical miles from the Vietnamese baseline. 31 nautical miles from the limits of Vietnam’s 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.&nbsp;

As provided for the international law, the UNCLOS 1982 and the Final Award of the Arbitral Tribunal in the Philippines vs China case in 2016, which concluded that features in the Spratly Islands do not generate 200 nautical miles of maritime zones and also rejected China’s nine dash line claim, China has no legal basis to make claim over this area.

China has militarised the South China Sea. Its military drills in the region have become more frequent which puts crowded trading corridor’s peace, stability and security at great risk. 
&nbsp;

China’s latest move in the South China Sea has further riled up tense atmosphere prevailing in the region. This time it is Vietnam. Vietnam claims that Chinese seismic survey vehicle Haiyang Dizhi 8 conducted marine surveys in Vietnam’s water.

China’s latest move in the South China Sea has further riled up tense atmosphere prevailing in the region. This time it is Vietnam. Vietnam claims that Chinese seismic survey vehicle Haiyang Dizhi 8 conducted marine surveys in Vietnam’s water. It further claims that China conducted activities to obstruct Vietnam’s oil and gas exploration at Block 06/1 which lies within Vietnam’s EEZ and CS, where this exploration has taken place for decades. Vietnam has claimed that on July 4, 2019, multiple Chinese vessels escorted Haiyan Dizhi and at a point of time were 35 in number. It is claimed that the main vessel was assisted by a large fleet of Coast Guard, fishing, transport and towing vessels. As of now, 10 to 12 Chinese vessels are still in the area which is near a joint venture run by PetroVietnam, Russia’s Rosneft and India’s ONGC which is involved in regular oil and gas production from past 17 years. Vietnam expects India to exert itself on this issue as the matter is being taken very seriously by the Vietnamese government. Such was the intensity of the brush at the sea that Chinese vessels utilised water cannons against Vietnamese vessels. Chinese premier Xi Jinping is expected to visit India in October to have a one-on-one session with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. In this context, it would be interesting to see what sort of response comes from the Ministry of External Affairs in its next press conference on Thursday. Vietnam has taken up this issue at various forums, but does not want the issue to escalate. The idea is to reclaim the situation without China making it an ego issue. China and Vietnam have a trading relationship worth around 106 billion dollars. Vietnam wants the world to know what is happening in its water, without provoking a larger confrontation with the big neighbour. Vietnam wants it bigger friends like India and others to speak on the issue. India in past too has asserted that rule-based order must be respected. The nearest location of the seismic survey operation, as per Vietnam, is 36 nautical miles from the Vietnamese baseline. 31 nautical miles from the limits of Vietnam’s 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. As provided for the international law, the UNCLOS 1982 and the Final Award of the Arbitral Tribunal in the Philippines vs China case in 2016, which concluded that features in the Spratly Islands do not generate 200 nautical miles of maritime zones and also rejected China’s nine dash line claim, China has no legal basis to make claim over this area. China has militarised the South China Sea. Its military drills in the region have become more frequent which puts crowded trading corridor’s peace, stability and security at great risk.

China makes foray inside Vietnamese water

More than 380 Chinese nationals were detained during a raid on a gambling ring in Vietnam, state media reported Sunday, in what police claim is the biggest-ever betting operation run by foreigners.

Most forms of gambling are illegal for locals in Vietnam, but the country has in recent years been used as a venue for online betting rings run by gangs from China and Taiwan.

Some 500 police officers in the northern port city of Hai Phong broke up the Chinese-run network in a raid late Saturday on a gated community called Our City where rooms were used to transact online bets worth more than $400 million, state-run Vietnam Television said.&nbsp;

"This case is considered the biggest ever in terms of scale and the number of foreigners breaking laws on Vietnam's soil," VTV reported.

The 380 Chinese nationals fielded online wagers from Chinese punters on sports betting and ran an illegal lottery, it added. &nbsp;

According to the report, police also confiscated nearly 2,000 smartphones, 530 computers, bank cards and cash.

Police declined to provide additional details when asked for comment by AFP.

Vietnam's one-party state has started loosening its rules on domestic gambling, allowing its citizens to bet in casinos on a trial basis and opening up some sports betting.

But lucrative illegal operations have mushroomed, prompting a crackdown on domestic gambling rings.

Dozens of people were convicted in Vietnam last year in connection with an online gambling ring run by a senior official in charge of policing internet betting.

More than 380 Chinese nationals were detained during a raid on a gambling ring in Vietnam, state media reported Sunday, in what police claim is the biggest-ever betting operation run by foreigners.

More than 380 Chinese nationals were detained during a raid on a gambling ring in Vietnam, state media reported Sunday, in what police claim is the biggest-ever betting operation run by foreigners. Most forms of gambling are illegal for locals in Vietnam, but the country has in recent years been used as a venue for online betting rings run by gangs from China and Taiwan. Some 500 police officers in the northern port city of Hai Phong broke up the Chinese-run network in a raid late Saturday on a gated community called Our City where rooms were used to transact online bets worth more than $400 million, state-run Vietnam Television said. "This case is considered the biggest ever in terms of scale and the number of foreigners breaking laws on Vietnam's soil," VTV reported. The 380 Chinese nationals fielded online wagers from Chinese punters on sports betting and ran an illegal lottery, it added. According to the report, police also confiscated nearly 2,000 smartphones, 530 computers, bank cards and cash. Police declined to provide additional details when asked for comment by AFP. Vietnam's one-party state has started loosening its rules on domestic gambling, allowing its citizens to bet in casinos on a trial basis and opening up some sports betting. But lucrative illegal operations have mushroomed, prompting a crackdown on domestic gambling rings. Dozens of people were convicted in Vietnam last year in connection with an online gambling ring run by a senior official in charge of policing internet betting.

Nearly 400 detained in record Vietnam gambling bust

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

The elephant ivory, estimated to be worth $12.9 million, came from nearly 300 African elephants and was heading to Vietnam through Singapore from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The haul also contained the third major seizure of pangolin scales in Singapore this year.

The pangolin, a scaly anteater, is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Its meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and China, and the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine, though the benefits are disputed by medical scientists.

"The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market," the Singapore Customs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the National Parks Board said, adding that the July 21 seizure came after a tip-off from China's customs department.

The ivory haul falls just short of 9.1 tonnes seizure in Vietnam in March, which non-government organisation Environmental Investigation Agency said was thought to be the largest ever globally.

There has been a flurry of seizures, including rhino horns, in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in recent months.

"Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold," said Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore.&nbsp;

"The consistency of these large-scale seizures is strong evidence of organised crime behind illegal wildlife trade coming through or into Singapore."

Singapore authorities said the latest seizure also contained 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about $35.7 million and equivalent to close to 2,000 pangolins.

Singapore has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April, including one raid which was the biggest of its kind worldwide in five years.

The city-state is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and says it is committed to the global effort to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore said on Tuesday it had seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups say is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. The elephant ivory, estimated to be worth $12.9 million, came from nearly 300 African elephants and was heading to Vietnam through Singapore from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The haul also contained the third major seizure of pangolin scales in Singapore this year. The pangolin, a scaly anteater, is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Its meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and China, and the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine, though the benefits are disputed by medical scientists. "The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market," the Singapore Customs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the National Parks Board said, adding that the July 21 seizure came after a tip-off from China's customs department. The ivory haul falls just short of 9.1 tonnes seizure in Vietnam in March, which non-government organisation Environmental Investigation Agency said was thought to be the largest ever globally. There has been a flurry of seizures, including rhino horns, in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in recent months. "Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold," said Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore. "The consistency of these large-scale seizures is strong evidence of organised crime behind illegal wildlife trade coming through or into Singapore." Singapore authorities said the latest seizure also contained 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about $35.7 million and equivalent to close to 2,000 pangolins. Singapore has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April, including one raid which was the biggest of its kind worldwide in five years. The city-state is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and says it is committed to the global effort to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

Singapore seizes ivory from nearly 300 elephants in record haul

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-plans-to-divert-40-million-in-aid-to-venezuelas-opposition-236654">Trump administration</a> tariffs.

Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show.

At the same time, the shift has exposed the murkiness of trade export rules, putting a premium on lawyers expert in the minutiae of US customs rules.

"We have a lot of questions from our members," said Sage Chandler, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association. "Companies are trying to find ways to avoid having to pay 25 per cent."&nbsp;

Some companies may be pushing the envelope a little too much, violating US rules against "transhipments," the routing of China-made goods through other countries to evade tariffs, legal experts say.

The speeding shift from China&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">President Donald Trump</a> since last year has slapped 25 per cent duties on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports and threatened additional levies on all other Chinese items coming to the United States though the two sides agreed last month to hold their fire for now.

Trump's trade measures have led some multinationals to fortify their North American operations and others to transfer some manufacturing capacity from China to any number of countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philipines, Bangladesh, India and Ethiopia.

Exports of computers and electronics from Vietnam to the United States have risen 71.6 per cent in the first five months of 2019 compared with the year-ago period, according to government data.&nbsp;

The pattern has also held for other machines and equipment, with exports from Vietnam rising 54.4 per cent over that period.

Even before Trump targeted China on trade, US companies had been reducing their dependence on China because of increasing production costs and elevated transport expenses compared with other Asian countries.

But the trade war has sped up those moves.

Ralph Lauren has "accelerated the diversification of our supply chain to mitigate the long-term impact of any potential tariff outcomes," said a spokesperson for the clothing company, adding that tariffs have so far not hit the company's goods.

Xcel Brands, which owns Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka and other fashion houses, will cease manufacturing in China in 2020, a big shift from two years ago when the country was the source of 100 per cent of its merchandise.&nbsp;

The company has moved clothes-making operations to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh, and is exploring adding capacity in Central America, Mexico and Canada.

This retooling, which was in the works before the tariffs, could boost profit margins, said Xcel chief executive Robert D'Loren. The trade war with China "accelerated our sourcing diversification efforts," he said.&nbsp;

A decade ago, more than 90 per cent of US footwear was made in China. But today, the figure is 69 per cent, said Matt Priest, president of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.

Problem solved

Yet shifting production outside of China to other Asian centres is not necessarily a panacea.&nbsp;

Many of these countries lack the roads, airports and other vital infrastructure of the world's second-biggest economy. And there is no guarantee that the emerging manufacturing venues will be safe from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-tariffs-must-be-lifted-to-reach-a-deal-to-end-trade-war-232996">US tariffs</a> down the road.

Companies can also run afoul of US law if goods are made in China and then sent to an intermediate destination to dodge US tariffs.

"I have noticed an upswing in the number of tariff evasion cases that have been made public and also in the number of inquiries my firm has received," said Jeff Newman, a Boston attorney.

A June Wall Street Journal report showed that billions of dollars of Chinese-made goods were being rerouted in this manner through Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

US customers officials did not respond to request for comment.

Retail giants such as Walmart and Target say significantly reducing their reliance on Chinese-made goods is unrealistic because of the demand for low prices.

That means retailers are more likely to stop producing goods with very low-profit margins than to incur additional costs by moving production out of China, according to Priest of the footwear distributors association.&nbsp;

He points to flip flops, which earn returns of only around six or seven per cent.

"It won't be worth moving to Vietnam for six or seven per cent-margin shoes," Priest said.&nbsp;

"That shoe is not worth it."

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of Trump administration tariffs. Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show.

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of Trump administration tariffs. Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show. At the same time, the shift has exposed the murkiness of trade export rules, putting a premium on lawyers expert in the minutiae of US customs rules. "We have a lot of questions from our members," said Sage Chandler, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association. "Companies are trying to find ways to avoid having to pay 25 per cent." Some companies may be pushing the envelope a little too much, violating US rules against "transhipments," the routing of China-made goods through other countries to evade tariffs, legal experts say. The speeding shift from China President Donald Trump since last year has slapped 25 per cent duties on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports and threatened additional levies on all other Chinese items coming to the United States though the two sides agreed last month to hold their fire for now. Trump's trade measures have led some multinationals to fortify their North American operations and others to transfer some manufacturing capacity from China to any number of countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philipines, Bangladesh, India and Ethiopia. Exports of computers and electronics from Vietnam to the United States have risen 71.6 per cent in the first five months of 2019 compared with the year-ago period, according to government data. The pattern has also held for other machines and equipment, with exports from Vietnam rising 54.4 per cent over that period. Even before Trump targeted China on trade, US companies had been reducing their dependence on China because of increasing production costs and elevated transport expenses compared with other Asian countries. But the trade war has sped up those moves. Ralph Lauren has "accelerated the diversification of our supply chain to mitigate the long-term impact of any potential tariff outcomes," said a spokesperson for the clothing company, adding that tariffs have so far not hit the company's goods. Xcel Brands, which owns Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka and other fashion houses, will cease manufacturing in China in 2020, a big shift from two years ago when the country was the source of 100 per cent of its merchandise. The company has moved clothes-making operations to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh, and is exploring adding capacity in Central America, Mexico and Canada. This retooling, which was in the works before the tariffs, could boost profit margins, said Xcel chief executive Robert D'Loren. The trade war with China "accelerated our sourcing diversification efforts," he said. A decade ago, more than 90 per cent of US footwear was made in China. But today, the figure is 69 per cent, said Matt Priest, president of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Problem solved Yet shifting production outside of China to other Asian centres is not necessarily a panacea. Many of these countries lack the roads, airports and other vital infrastructure of the world's second-biggest economy. And there is no guarantee that the emerging manufacturing venues will be safe from US tariffs down the road. Companies can also run afoul of US law if goods are made in China and then sent to an intermediate destination to dodge US tariffs. "I have noticed an upswing in the number of tariff evasion cases that have been made public and also in the number of inquiries my firm has received," said Jeff Newman, a Boston attorney. A June Wall Street Journal report showed that billions of dollars of Chinese-made goods were being rerouted in this manner through Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. US customers officials did not respond to request for comment. Retail giants such as Walmart and Target say significantly reducing their reliance on Chinese-made goods is unrealistic because of the demand for low prices. That means retailers are more likely to stop producing goods with very low-profit margins than to incur additional costs by moving production out of China, according to Priest of the footwear distributors association. He points to flip flops, which earn returns of only around six or seven per cent. "It won't be worth moving to Vietnam for six or seven per cent-margin shoes," Priest said. "That shoe is not worth it."

US importers find ways to adapt to, skirt Donald Trump's tariffs

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities.

"China`s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens regional energy security and undermines the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market," the State Department said in a statement.

Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.&nbsp;

Vietnam and China have for years-long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, two US-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil block in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Neither Beijing nor Hanoi have directly confirmed or denied the reports.

"The United States firmly opposes coercion and intimidation by any claimant to assert its territorial or maritime claims," the State Department said.&nbsp;

"China should cease its bullying behaviour and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activity," it added.

The State Department also pointed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo`s comments earlier this year when he said, "by blocking development in the South China Sea through coercive means, China prevents ASEAN members from accessing more than $2.5 trillion in recoverable energy reserves."

The State Department also said that China`s growing pressure on ASEAN countries to accept provisions that seek to restrict their right to partner with third-party companies or countries further reveal its intent to assert control over oil and gas resources in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

"China’s reclamation and militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea...including the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce, and threaten other nations, undermine the peace and security of the region," it said.

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities.

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities. "China`s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens regional energy security and undermines the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market," the State Department said in a statement. Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters. Vietnam and China have for years-long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, two US-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil block in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Neither Beijing nor Hanoi have directly confirmed or denied the reports. "The United States firmly opposes coercion and intimidation by any claimant to assert its territorial or maritime claims," the State Department said. "China should cease its bullying behaviour and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activity," it added. The State Department also pointed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo`s comments earlier this year when he said, "by blocking development in the South China Sea through coercive means, China prevents ASEAN members from accessing more than $2.5 trillion in recoverable energy reserves." The State Department also said that China`s growing pressure on ASEAN countries to accept provisions that seek to restrict their right to partner with third-party companies or countries further reveal its intent to assert control over oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. "China’s reclamation and militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea...including the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce, and threaten other nations, undermine the peace and security of the region," it said.

Concerned by reports of Chinese interference in South China Sea: US State Department

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-has-changed-a-lot-since-bimstecs-inception-thailand-ambassador-227899">Thailand</a>'s rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday.

The country has been struggling to export rice at a time when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rice-demand-dwindles-in-top-asian-exporters-thai-rates-hit-by-fresh-supplies-200354">Thai baht is Asia's best-performing currency</a> and is trading near its strongest in more than six years at 30.81 against the US dollar.

Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, shipped 4.2 million tonnes of rice between January and June, with orders in the last two months declining to as low as 600,000 tonnes per month. This was below a targeted monthly average of 800,000 tonnes.

"Thai rice is very expensive because of the currency exchange," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters.

"If the baht keeps strengthening below 30 against the dollar, it's game over for us."

Thai benchmark 5 per cent broken rice was quoted last Thursday at an average of $404 per tonne, significantly higher than the same grade from competitors India and Vietnam at $372.5 and $332.50 respectively.

The association said earlier this year it aimed to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice, already a drop from 11 million tonnes in 2018.

But now, even reaching 9 million tonnes will be hard, Chookiat said.

"With a price gap like this, it's a no-brainer that buyers would go for Vietnamese rice," he said.

China Supply

Thailand also faced competition from China, as the world's biggest rice importer and Thailand's third-biggest buyer last year has been offloading its stockpiles.

China has slowed trade with its two biggest partners Thailand and Vietnam this year due to large state reserves, and has been selling its stockpiles of "old rice", which ended up in the African markets previously dominated by Thailand, Chookiat said.

"Because China doesn't buy from Vietnam this year, Vietnam has a lot of rice to compete with us in every market. At the same time China takes our African markets," he said.

From January to May, Thailand has exported rice worth 3.7 billion baht ($120.1 million) to China, a 45% decline from the same period last year, according to the Thai commerce ministry data.

Thailand's government-to-government deal with Chinese state-owned food trader COFCO has also stalled due to China's ample rice supply.

As of end-2018, Thailand had supplied 700,000 tonnes of rice to China as part of the pledged deal for 1 million tonnes of the grain struck in 2015.

"From then to now, there haven't been any new orders for the deal," Chookiat said.

($1 = 30.8100 baht)

Thailand's rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday.

Thailand's rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday. The country has been struggling to export rice at a time when the Thai baht is Asia's best-performing currency and is trading near its strongest in more than six years at 30.81 against the US dollar. Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, shipped 4.2 million tonnes of rice between January and June, with orders in the last two months declining to as low as 600,000 tonnes per month. This was below a targeted monthly average of 800,000 tonnes. "Thai rice is very expensive because of the currency exchange," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters. "If the baht keeps strengthening below 30 against the dollar, it's game over for us." Thai benchmark 5 per cent broken rice was quoted last Thursday at an average of $404 per tonne, significantly higher than the same grade from competitors India and Vietnam at $372.5 and $332.50 respectively. The association said earlier this year it aimed to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice, already a drop from 11 million tonnes in 2018. But now, even reaching 9 million tonnes will be hard, Chookiat said. "With a price gap like this, it's a no-brainer that buyers would go for Vietnamese rice," he said. China Supply Thailand also faced competition from China, as the world's biggest rice importer and Thailand's third-biggest buyer last year has been offloading its stockpiles. China has slowed trade with its two biggest partners Thailand and Vietnam this year due to large state reserves, and has been selling its stockpiles of "old rice", which ended up in the African markets previously dominated by Thailand, Chookiat said. "Because China doesn't buy from Vietnam this year, Vietnam has a lot of rice to compete with us in every market. At the same time China takes our African markets," he said. From January to May, Thailand has exported rice worth 3.7 billion baht ($120.1 million) to China, a 45% decline from the same period last year, according to the Thai commerce ministry data. Thailand's government-to-government deal with Chinese state-owned food trader COFCO has also stalled due to China's ample rice supply. As of end-2018, Thailand had supplied 700,000 tonnes of rice to China as part of the pledged deal for 1 million tonnes of the grain struck in 2015. "From then to now, there haven't been any new orders for the deal," Chookiat said. ($1 = 30.8100 baht)

Thailand rice exports hit by strong baht, unlikely to meet 2019 goal

After riding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-china-of-serious-consequences-if-hong-kong-rights-not-honoured-232315">China</a>'s demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand.

By far the biggest user of coal-fired power, China is buying less thermal coal from global markets, said delegates to Asia's premier coal conference last month in Bali, both as renewables gain market share and as it digs up more of its own supply.

A backlash against coal is also growing in the West. Last week, investors managing nearly half the world's invested capital demanded ahead of a Group of 20 summits in Osaka that governments take urgent action on climate change.

Delegates to Coaltrans in Bali, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-troops-flood-jakarta-streets-after-post-election-riots-220989">Indonesia</a>, however, said that while coal's glory days are done, reports of its imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated.

"Coal will continue to provide low-cost energy. We are looking at increasing demand in Southeast Asia, so we are still positive," said Hendri Tan, marketing director at PT Adaro Indonesia, a unit of PT Adaro Energy, Indonesia's second-biggest coal producer.

Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, used primarily for power generation, shipping out 429 million tonnes last year and accounting for 43% of the 1 billion-tonne-a-year seaborne market, according to Australian government data.

Around 124 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity is under development in Southeast and South Asia, both key markets for Indonesia, and that is expected to offset declining demand from China, said the chairman of Indonesia Coal Mining Association, Pandu Sjahrir.

Indonesia itself is expected to add some 50 million tonnes a year of coal-fired power demand by 2023, he said, a rise of 55% that would make it one of Asia's biggest consumers.

As China takes less, economies like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines are also expected to pick up the slack, delegates said.

Between 2014 and 2018, China's coal demand fell by 2.4%, while India's swelled by 16.7%, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy report this year. Over the same period, Vietnam's coal use grew by 65% and Indonesia's by 36%, helping to offset falls in the United States, Japan and Germany as well.

 
Beach parties end, belly dancers, stay home

Indonesia shot to prominence as a coal producer last decade as it dug out and shipped the fuel to meet power demand from China, eventually outstripping then leader Australia.

As China's manufacturing might grow, so too did its hunger for electricity, turning it into a net thermal coal importer around 2004. That was a bonanza for miners and helped establish Coaltrans in Bali as the industry's main event in Asia.

 
During the boom years, companies would battle to outdo each other at Coaltrans with lavish beach parties. One Uzbekistan company flew in belly dancers to entertain potential customers drinking free-flow vodka and eating caviar, delegates said.

"People were throwing money at everything," said SMG Consultants' Alistair MacDonald, who has attended Coaltrans since 2000. But times have changed, he said.

"The bankers aren't here. A lot of the services like insurers aren't here any more," he said. "It's a lot more domestic (Indonesian) players, and they want to be perceived as energy companies, not as coal companies."

Staring at prospects of tougher conditions ahead, Indonesia's large thermal coal miners are diversifying into other geographies and other industries, Sacha Winzenried, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, told Reuters.

"They are looking into renewables, other infrastructure, supply chain support such as water, utilities, shipping and logistics," Winzenried said.

Indonesia's Adaro Energy bought an Australian coal mine from Rio Tinto last year. And Indonesian state coal miner Bukit Asam is targeting commercial operation of four coal processing plants in South Sumatra that would extract gas from, as well as burn, coal.

Financing dries up

Delegates also noted the difficulty of getting financing for their businesses, working capital and further investments, and some were pessimistic on the coal industry's longevity.

One mining engineer in his fifties, who had spent most of his career in coal at a major miner and also had an MBA, saw his career options as limited.

"I've spent twenty years in coal. Where can I go next?" he said. "I would not recommend any young people join this industry."

Still, renewables are not expected to make the same inroads in emerging Asian economies as in developed nations, because Asian governments are working to provide cheap baseload power from coal, and renewables can't compete on scale or price, said an industry analyst, declining to be named due to his listed company's policy.

"Less coal will mean a less polluted world," he said. "But if you don't want (coal) to exist, then you have to come up with a realistic alternative."

After riding China's demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand.

After riding China's demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand. By far the biggest user of coal-fired power, China is buying less thermal coal from global markets, said delegates to Asia's premier coal conference last month in Bali, both as renewables gain market share and as it digs up more of its own supply. A backlash against coal is also growing in the West. Last week, investors managing nearly half the world's invested capital demanded ahead of a Group of 20 summits in Osaka that governments take urgent action on climate change. Delegates to Coaltrans in Bali, Indonesia, however, said that while coal's glory days are done, reports of its imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated. "Coal will continue to provide low-cost energy. We are looking at increasing demand in Southeast Asia, so we are still positive," said Hendri Tan, marketing director at PT Adaro Indonesia, a unit of PT Adaro Energy, Indonesia's second-biggest coal producer. Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, used primarily for power generation, shipping out 429 million tonnes last year and accounting for 43% of the 1 billion-tonne-a-year seaborne market, according to Australian government data. Around 124 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity is under development in Southeast and South Asia, both key markets for Indonesia, and that is expected to offset declining demand from China, said the chairman of Indonesia Coal Mining Association, Pandu Sjahrir. Indonesia itself is expected to add some 50 million tonnes a year of coal-fired power demand by 2023, he said, a rise of 55% that would make it one of Asia's biggest consumers. As China takes less, economies like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines are also expected to pick up the slack, delegates said. Between 2014 and 2018, China's coal demand fell by 2.4%, while India's swelled by 16.7%, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy report this year. Over the same period, Vietnam's coal use grew by 65% and Indonesia's by 36%, helping to offset falls in the United States, Japan and Germany as well. Beach parties end, belly dancers, stay home Indonesia shot to prominence as a coal producer last decade as it dug out and shipped the fuel to meet power demand from China, eventually outstripping then leader Australia. As China's manufacturing might grow, so too did its hunger for electricity, turning it into a net thermal coal importer around 2004. That was a bonanza for miners and helped establish Coaltrans in Bali as the industry's main event in Asia. During the boom years, companies would battle to outdo each other at Coaltrans with lavish beach parties. One Uzbekistan company flew in belly dancers to entertain potential customers drinking free-flow vodka and eating caviar, delegates said. "People were throwing money at everything," said SMG Consultants' Alistair MacDonald, who has attended Coaltrans since 2000. But times have changed, he said. "The bankers aren't here. A lot of the services like insurers aren't here any more," he said. "It's a lot more domestic (Indonesian) players, and they want to be perceived as energy companies, not as coal companies." Staring at prospects of tougher conditions ahead, Indonesia's large thermal coal miners are diversifying into other geographies and other industries, Sacha Winzenried, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, told Reuters. "They are looking into renewables, other infrastructure, supply chain support such as water, utilities, shipping and logistics," Winzenried said. Indonesia's Adaro Energy bought an Australian coal mine from Rio Tinto last year. And Indonesian state coal miner Bukit Asam is targeting commercial operation of four coal processing plants in South Sumatra that would extract gas from, as well as burn, coal. Financing dries up Delegates also noted the difficulty of getting financing for their businesses, working capital and further investments, and some were pessimistic on the coal industry's longevity. One mining engineer in his fifties, who had spent most of his career in coal at a major miner and also had an MBA, saw his career options as limited. "I've spent twenty years in coal. Where can I go next?" he said. "I would not recommend any young people join this industry." Still, renewables are not expected to make the same inroads in emerging Asian economies as in developed nations, because Asian governments are working to provide cheap baseload power from coal, and renewables can't compete on scale or price, said an industry analyst, declining to be named due to his listed company's policy. "Less coal will mean a less polluted world," he said. "But if you don't want (coal) to exist, then you have to come up with a realistic alternative."

Future tense: Fastest-growing market Asia rethinks coal's prospects

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs.

"China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-a-very-strong-position-no-boots-on-the-ground-against-iran-trump-230652">US in a very strong position, no boots on the ground against Iran: Trump</a>

Trump has hit $200 billion of Chinese imports with levies and has threatened to impose them on an additional $300 billion if Beijing does not agree to US demands for protection of intellectual property and other reforms to a trading system that Trump says gives China huge unfair advantages.

The two sides said they were close to a deal before talks broke down in May.

Trump noted that some companies are leaving China for Vietnam to avoid the US import tariffs, but he complained that Vietnam was "even worse than China" when it comes to unfair trading practices.

Vietnam is the "single worst abuser," he said.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs. "China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs. "China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping. Also read-US in a very strong position, no boots on the ground against Iran: Trump Trump has hit $200 billion of Chinese imports with levies and has threatened to impose them on an additional $300 billion if Beijing does not agree to US demands for protection of intellectual property and other reforms to a trading system that Trump says gives China huge unfair advantages. The two sides said they were close to a deal before talks broke down in May. Trump noted that some companies are leaving China for Vietnam to avoid the US import tariffs, but he complained that Vietnam was "even worse than China" when it comes to unfair trading practices. Vietnam is the "single worst abuser," he said.

Trump says Vietnam worse than China on trade

Vietnam&nbsp;has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in&nbsp;Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports.

Vietnamese customs have found scores of such cases amid the ongoing United States-China&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/g20-says-worsening-trade-wars-pose-risk-to-world-economy-225664">trade&nbsp;dispute</a>, the department said in a statement posted to a government website on Sunday.

"The faking of origin and the illegal transhipment of goods happens most often in the sectors of textiles, seafood, agricultural products, tiles, honey, steel and iron, aluminium and timber products," the department said in the statement.

Some importers had been illegally re-packing goods from&nbsp;China&nbsp;in "Made in&nbsp;Vietnam" packaging and then applying for a&nbsp;Vietnamese certificate of origin with which to export to the United States, Europe and Japan,&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;customs said.

In one such example, which the statement said was uncovered by United States&nbsp;customs, a&nbsp;Vietnam-based manufacturer of timber products was found to have been importing Chinese timber which it then relabelled and exported to the United States.

Vietnam's customs department is developing a process to better identify and impose penalties on businesses which carry out such violations, the statement said.

Vietnam&nbsp;has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries of the&nbsp;trade&nbsp;war between Beijing and Washington as some businesses are shifting their supply chains away from&nbsp;China&nbsp;in order to avoid tariffs. An analysis of&nbsp;trade&nbsp;data by Japan's Nomura Holdings Inc earlier this month showed&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;had easily benefited more than other countries.

The Southeast Asian country relies heavily on&nbsp;China&nbsp;for materials and equipment for its labour-intensive manufacturing. Meanwhile, the United States is its largest export market.

Foreign minister Pham Binh Minh said in a speech to&nbsp;Vietnam's national assembly last week that the government has created a steering committee in response to the&nbsp;trade&nbsp;war.

Vietnam has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports.

Vietnam has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. Vietnamese customs have found scores of such cases amid the ongoing United States-China trade dispute, the department said in a statement posted to a government website on Sunday. "The faking of origin and the illegal transhipment of goods happens most often in the sectors of textiles, seafood, agricultural products, tiles, honey, steel and iron, aluminium and timber products," the department said in the statement. Some importers had been illegally re-packing goods from China in "Made in Vietnam" packaging and then applying for a Vietnamese certificate of origin with which to export to the United States, Europe and Japan, Vietnam customs said. In one such example, which the statement said was uncovered by United States customs, a Vietnam-based manufacturer of timber products was found to have been importing Chinese timber which it then relabelled and exported to the United States. Vietnam's customs department is developing a process to better identify and impose penalties on businesses which carry out such violations, the statement said. Vietnam has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries of the trade war between Beijing and Washington as some businesses are shifting their supply chains away from China in order to avoid tariffs. An analysis of trade data by Japan's Nomura Holdings Inc earlier this month showed Vietnam had easily benefited more than other countries. The Southeast Asian country relies heavily on China for materials and equipment for its labour-intensive manufacturing. Meanwhile, the United States is its largest export market. Foreign minister Pham Binh Minh said in a speech to Vietnam's national assembly last week that the government has created a steering committee in response to the trade war.

Vietnam to crackdown on Chinese goods relabelled to beat United States tariffs

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306"> United States and North Korea </a>would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency.

North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam.

"Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying.

The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added.

In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers.

North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

&nbsp;

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position. The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency. North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam. "Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying. The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added. In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

Doors remain open for North Korea to resume talks: United States

US President Donald Trump said his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal.

Trump Asks Tariffs Making Companies Leave China, A Deal Can't Be '50-50'

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-jails-two-activists-for-spreading-propaganda-on-facebook-217787">Vietnam</a>, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically.

The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub.

"The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement.

It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs.

The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country. Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in Vietnam, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically. The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub. "The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement. It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs. The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam culls 1.2 million pigs as African swine fever spreads nationwide

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities.

Located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa airbase -- the latest site scheduled for rehabilitation after Danang airbase's clean-up last year -- was one of the main storage grounds for Agent Orange and only hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago.

US forces sprayed 80 million litres&nbsp;of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food.

The spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into groundwater and rivers and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese -- from enlarged heads to deformed limbs.

At Bien Hoa, more than 500,000 cubic metres of dioxin had contaminated the soil and sediment, making it the "largest remaining hotspot" in Vietnam, said a statement from the US development agency USAID, which kicked off a 10-year remediation effort on Saturday.&nbsp;

The dioxin amounts in Bien Hoa are four times more than the volume cleaned up at Danang airport, a six-year $110 million effort which was completed in November.

"The fact that two former foes are now partnering on such a complex task is nothing short of historic," said the US ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, at Saturday morning's launch attended by Vietnamese military officials and US senators.&nbsp;

Hanoi says up to three million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that one million suffer grave health repercussions today -- including at least 150,000 children with birth defects.

An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States has met with little success. The US Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case while neither the US government nor the manufacturers of the chemical have ever admitted liability.

While US officials have never admitted direct links between Agent Orange and birth defects, USAID on Saturday also issued a "memorandum of intent" to work with government agencies to improve the lives of people with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces.&nbsp;

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities.

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities. Located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa airbase -- the latest site scheduled for rehabilitation after Danang airbase's clean-up last year -- was one of the main storage grounds for Agent Orange and only hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago. US forces sprayed 80 million litres of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food. The spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into groundwater and rivers and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese -- from enlarged heads to deformed limbs. At Bien Hoa, more than 500,000 cubic metres of dioxin had contaminated the soil and sediment, making it the "largest remaining hotspot" in Vietnam, said a statement from the US development agency USAID, which kicked off a 10-year remediation effort on Saturday. The dioxin amounts in Bien Hoa are four times more than the volume cleaned up at Danang airport, a six-year $110 million effort which was completed in November. "The fact that two former foes are now partnering on such a complex task is nothing short of historic," said the US ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, at Saturday morning's launch attended by Vietnamese military officials and US senators. Hanoi says up to three million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that one million suffer grave health repercussions today -- including at least 150,000 children with birth defects. An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States has met with little success. The US Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case while neither the US government nor the manufacturers of the chemical have ever admitted liability. While US officials have never admitted direct links between Agent Orange and birth defects, USAID on Saturday also issued a "memorandum of intent" to work with government agencies to improve the lives of people with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces.

USAID launches latest clean-up for Vietnam War-era Agent Orange site

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-summits-other-aim-was-to-sell-vietnam-model-to-north-korea-208086&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwil2c2RxMzhAhUC2o8KHexwBlcQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wiqe58eN9qS_vRGZh_dqd">Kim Jong-un </a>will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday.

Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1.

Subsequently, the 30-year-old former hair salon worker pleaded guilty to "causing injury" and was handed a three year and four-month jail term effective from the date of her arrest in February 2017 and later reduced for good behaviour.

The brazen killing of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/murder-at-the-airport-the-brazen-attack-on-kim-jong-nam-207113&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjT3ojnxMzhAhWD7XMBHcytAVYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QXXs80GmIxdk2C8nNvhJg">Kim Jong-nam</a>&nbsp;with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in broad daylight shocked the world.

Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting the Cold War-style hit as Malaysia allowed the two women's suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder.

"We have been told by prison authorities that Huong will be freed on May 3," lawyer Salim Bashir told AFP.

"Huong is in a jovial mood. The young woman is expected to be immediately flown to Hanoi."

Last month the charge against co-accused 27-year-old Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped.

During the women's long-running trial which began in October 2017, the court was shown CCTV footage of them approaching Kim as he waited for the flight, one of them placing their hands on his face, and then both of them running to bathrooms before fleeing the airport.

But the pair always maintained they were innocent pawns in a plan hatched by North Korea and believed they were carrying out pranks for a reality TV show.

The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder.

The women's lawyers said the real masterminds were four North Koreans who were seen at the airport on the day of the murder meeting the pair, and who fled after the assassination. The four were charged in absentia along with the women over the killing.

"Obviously Huong deserves this freedom after her long incarceration. She is looking forward to being with her family and friends," her lawyer Salim said.

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday. Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1.

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday. Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1. Subsequently, the 30-year-old former hair salon worker pleaded guilty to "causing injury" and was handed a three year and four-month jail term effective from the date of her arrest in February 2017 and later reduced for good behaviour. The brazen killing of Kim Jong-nam with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in broad daylight shocked the world. Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting the Cold War-style hit as Malaysia allowed the two women's suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder. "We have been told by prison authorities that Huong will be freed on May 3," lawyer Salim Bashir told AFP. "Huong is in a jovial mood. The young woman is expected to be immediately flown to Hanoi." Last month the charge against co-accused 27-year-old Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped. During the women's long-running trial which began in October 2017, the court was shown CCTV footage of them approaching Kim as he waited for the flight, one of them placing their hands on his face, and then both of them running to bathrooms before fleeing the airport. But the pair always maintained they were innocent pawns in a plan hatched by North Korea and believed they were carrying out pranks for a reality TV show. The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder. The women's lawyers said the real masterminds were four North Koreans who were seen at the airport on the day of the murder meeting the pair, and who fled after the assassination. The four were charged in absentia along with the women over the killing. "Obviously Huong deserves this freedom after her long incarceration. She is looking forward to being with her family and friends," her lawyer Salim said.

Vietnam woman in Kim's brother murder to be freed on May 3

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086">Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086">new</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086"> charge, likely to walk free</a>

A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-defence-satellite-pslv-c45-from-sriharikota-today-207087">ISRO to launch defence satellite PSLV-C45 from Sriharikota today</a>

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch&nbsp;PSLV-C45&nbsp;from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at around 9:30 am today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071">J&amp;K: 4 LeT terrorists killed in </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071">encounter</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071"> with security forces</a>

Four terrorists belonging to the&nbsp;Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The terrorists were killed following an encounter in Lassipora area of Pulwama district.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066">Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066">setback</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066"> in Ankara's local election</a>

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the&nbsp;country's economic hub Istanbul.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arabs-to-seek-un-security-council-action-on-golan-heights-207067">Arabs to seek UN Security Council action on Golan Heights&nbsp;</a>

Arab leaders said on Sunday they would seek a UN Security Council resolution against the US decision to recognize&nbsp;Israeli sovereignty&nbsp;over the Golan Heights and promised to support Palestinians in their bid for statehood.

Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts new charge, likely to walk free A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month.

Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts new charge, likely to walk free A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month. ISRO to launch defence satellite PSLV-C45 from Sriharikota today The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch PSLV-C45 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at around 9:30 am today. J&K: 4 LeT terrorists killed in encounter with security forces Four terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The terrorists were killed following an encounter in Lassipora area of Pulwama district. Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers setback in Ankara's local election Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the country's economic hub Istanbul. Arabs to seek UN Security Council action on Golan Heights Arab leaders said on Sunday they would seek a UN Security Council resolution against the US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and promised to support Palestinians in their bid for statehood.

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week.

Before leaving for his country, he had visited the mausoleum of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-pays-tribute-to-ho-chi-minh-on-vietnam-visit-200677">Vietnamese national hero Ho Chi Minh</a>, with whom his grandfather Kim Il-Sung met in Hanoi in 1964, which had marked the last official visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam.

After the shortstop, he travelled by car the 170 kilometres (106 miles) that separate Hanoi from Dong Dang station on the border with China.

He arrived at the station after 12.30 pm and boarded a high-security train to return to his country.

A crowd waving Vietnamese and North Korean flags to the beats of the national orchestra had gathered at the gates of the railway station to bid farewell to the leader of North Korea.

Kim waved to the gathered crowd with a broad smile and boarded the train, flanked by his security personnel.

On Friday, Hanoi had hosted a grand dinner for Kim, that was attended by top officials of the country.

Earlier in the day, he had met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong.

During the meeting, both leaders had pledged to reinforce ties between the two countries that share historical and ideological affinities owing to the communist root of their regimes.

In recent months, North Korea has shown an interest in the economic transition undertaken by Vietnam since the mid-1980s.

Vietnam had successfully moved from orthodox communism to a state-protected market economy without the Communist Party losing its political hegemony.

Kim had arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday to participate in his second summit with US President Donald Trump, which ended ahead of schedule on Thursday after the two sides failed to agree on the denuclearization of North Korea and the lifting of sanctions.

The two countries had presented different versions of the meet, after it concluded, leading to confusion over its outcome.

However, on Friday, the negotiating teams of both the countries underlined the progress achieved during the talks and made an appeal to continue with the talks and hoped to reach an agreement at a forthcoming summit.

Meanwhile, Kim will be travelling 60 hours to cover 4,500 kilometres that separate the Vietnamese border from the North Korean capital.

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week.

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week. Before leaving for his country, he had visited the mausoleum of Vietnamese national hero Ho Chi Minh, with whom his grandfather Kim Il-Sung met in Hanoi in 1964, which had marked the last official visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam. After the shortstop, he travelled by car the 170 kilometres (106 miles) that separate Hanoi from Dong Dang station on the border with China. He arrived at the station after 12.30 pm and boarded a high-security train to return to his country. A crowd waving Vietnamese and North Korean flags to the beats of the national orchestra had gathered at the gates of the railway station to bid farewell to the leader of North Korea. Kim waved to the gathered crowd with a broad smile and boarded the train, flanked by his security personnel. On Friday, Hanoi had hosted a grand dinner for Kim, that was attended by top officials of the country. Earlier in the day, he had met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong. During the meeting, both leaders had pledged to reinforce ties between the two countries that share historical and ideological affinities owing to the communist root of their regimes. In recent months, North Korea has shown an interest in the economic transition undertaken by Vietnam since the mid-1980s. Vietnam had successfully moved from orthodox communism to a state-protected market economy without the Communist Party losing its political hegemony. Kim had arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday to participate in his second summit with US President Donald Trump, which ended ahead of schedule on Thursday after the two sides failed to agree on the denuclearization of North Korea and the lifting of sanctions. The two countries had presented different versions of the meet, after it concluded, leading to confusion over its outcome. However, on Friday, the negotiating teams of both the countries underlined the progress achieved during the talks and made an appeal to continue with the talks and hoped to reach an agreement at a forthcoming summit. Meanwhile, Kim will be travelling 60 hours to cover 4,500 kilometres that separate the Vietnamese border from the North Korean capital.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un leaves for Pyongyang after Vietnamese state visit

North Korea's foreign minister&nbsp;Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-deal-with-kim-thwarted-by-north-korean-sanction-demands-200231">during Kim Jong-un's summit </a>with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported.

In a highly unusual late-night statement at the North Korean delegation's hotel, Ri Yong Ho added Pyongyang was seeking partial sanctions relief, the South Korean agency reported, denying Trump's assertion it wanted them all lifted.

North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief, the foreign minister said.

The US-North Korea nuclear summit in Hanoi ended abruptly without a deal on Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying he had decided to "walk" in the face of Kim Jong Un's demands to drop sanctions.

The much-anticipated second meeting between the two leaders was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore, but they failed to sign a joint statement as initially scheduled and the talks ended in deadlock.

"Sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times," an unusually downbeat Trump told reporters.

"Basically they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn't do that," Trump said before leaving Vietnam aboard Air Force One to head back to Washington. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Trump noted Kim had vowed not to resume nuclear or ballistic missile testing -- something he previously identified as a yardstick for success -- and reiterated their "close relationship".

"We just like each other... there's a warmth that we have and I hope that stays, I think it will," he said.

North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" during Kim Jong-un's summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported.

North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" during Kim Jong-un's summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported. In a highly unusual late-night statement at the North Korean delegation's hotel, Ri Yong Ho added Pyongyang was seeking partial sanctions relief, the South Korean agency reported, denying Trump's assertion it wanted them all lifted. North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief, the foreign minister said. The US-North Korea nuclear summit in Hanoi ended abruptly without a deal on Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying he had decided to "walk" in the face of Kim Jong Un's demands to drop sanctions. The much-anticipated second meeting between the two leaders was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore, but they failed to sign a joint statement as initially scheduled and the talks ended in deadlock. "Sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times," an unusually downbeat Trump told reporters. "Basically they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn't do that," Trump said before leaving Vietnam aboard Air Force One to head back to Washington. Trump noted Kim had vowed not to resume nuclear or ballistic missile testing -- something he previously identified as a yardstick for success -- and reiterated their "close relationship". "We just like each other... there's a warmth that we have and I hope that stays, I think it will," he said.

North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief during Trump-Kim summit: Foreign minister

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200106">Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony.

The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal.

Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070"> and North Korean</a> flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner.

Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people."

The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning.

This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail.

A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington.

But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world.

Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head.

Bidding to make history

Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953.

To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war.

At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability.

Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built.

From insults to love

A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status.

He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner.

Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route.

And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance.

Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard."

With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation.

Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. 
Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan.

In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted.

Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do.

In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession.&nbsp;

Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence.

Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit.

"If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP.

And Trump deserves credit, he said.

"You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons. At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony. The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal. Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating US and North Korean flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner. Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people." The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning. This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail. A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington. But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world. Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head. Bidding to make history Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953. To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war. At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability. Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built. From insults to love A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status. He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner. Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route. And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance. Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard." With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation. Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan. In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted. Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do. In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession. Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence. Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit. "If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP. And Trump deserves credit, he said. "You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

Trump, Kim express optimism over second summit in Vietnam

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292">summit between the North Korean leader and </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292">United</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292"> States</a> president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-awesome-future-for-north-korea-if-kim-jong-un-gives-up-nukes-199965">Donald Trump</a> and Kim Jong-un are due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the denuclearization of the Pyongyang regime, as agreed on at their first summit held in Singapore in June last year.

"(Trump) is an intense, firm man, who gives everything for America and its people. He was already a millionaire before he became president. He is not there for money, he is making a sacrifice. I don't like Kim because he is a dictator and does not support policies of openness," An, a 40-year-old taxi driver, told EFE.

Trump's fortune is one of the main reasons for his popularity among the Vietnamese, who often consider wealth to be a personal virtue, and many people in Hanoi have decided to dye their hair to resemble the US president's.

"I like Trump more than Kim because he is rich and more powerful," says Duc, a 19-year-old student, who like his other 20 friends has been sporting the characteristic hair colour of the White House resident.

Artist Tram Lan Binh says he is fascinated by Trump, not because of his bank balance but because of his physical appearance, his facial expressions and his strong personality, and has painted 50 colourful portraits of the US president in acrylic over recent years.

Some of them have been displayed in the cafe that he runs on the outskirts of the capital, along with a life-size sculpture of Trump dressed in a striking yellow vest and shorts.

"We managed to get some exhibited a year ago in Washington, in front of the White House. The paintings are not for sale because I made them with a lot of heart and not for money. I feel a special fondness for Trump, his open and direct nature, his facial expressions and the way he deals with pressure inspires me. I am not bothered about what people say," explained the 37-year-old artist.

"I most enjoy painting his eyes and his facial expressions," he added.

The cafe has been specially decorated for the summit, with the flags of the US and North Korea, calls for peace and the portraits of Trump and Kim, another source of inspiration for Binh.

"I made these paintings when I learnt about the summit, but I have had an interest in Kim for a while. I began to draw his portrait even before his first meeting with Trump. He is intelligent, firm, direct and brave for agreeing to meet with Trump," he said.

The painter says he is especially drawn to the physical features of the North Korean leader, his "beautiful lips and round face," and went on to describe him as "a living masterpiece."

Even though Kim does not enjoy Trump's popularity in Vietnam, there was one place in Hanoi that on Tuesday was eagerly looking forward to the North Korean leader's arrival: the Kindergarten of Friendship between North Korea and Vietnam.

In Kim's honour, children between three and six years old along with their teachers performed a song and dance dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire, with the flags of both countries painted on their cheeks.

The kindergarten was built in 1978 with funds from Pyongyang, and is now one of the most prestigious preschools in Hanoi, with 450 students and 17 classrooms, one of them dedicated to Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and Kim Jong-un's grandfather.

Some of the teachers hope that Kim's agenda, which has not been made public by North Korean officials, will include a visit to their kindergarten.

"We are all very hopeful; we don't know if he will come, but if he does, we will be prepared to give him a welcome," said one of the teachers.

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a summit between the North Korean leader and United States president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality.

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a summit between the North Korean leader and United States president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the denuclearization of the Pyongyang regime, as agreed on at their first summit held in Singapore in June last year. "(Trump) is an intense, firm man, who gives everything for America and its people. He was already a millionaire before he became president. He is not there for money, he is making a sacrifice. I don't like Kim because he is a dictator and does not support policies of openness," An, a 40-year-old taxi driver, told EFE. Trump's fortune is one of the main reasons for his popularity among the Vietnamese, who often consider wealth to be a personal virtue, and many people in Hanoi have decided to dye their hair to resemble the US president's. "I like Trump more than Kim because he is rich and more powerful," says Duc, a 19-year-old student, who like his other 20 friends has been sporting the characteristic hair colour of the White House resident. Artist Tram Lan Binh says he is fascinated by Trump, not because of his bank balance but because of his physical appearance, his facial expressions and his strong personality, and has painted 50 colourful portraits of the US president in acrylic over recent years. Some of them have been displayed in the cafe that he runs on the outskirts of the capital, along with a life-size sculpture of Trump dressed in a striking yellow vest and shorts. "We managed to get some exhibited a year ago in Washington, in front of the White House. The paintings are not for sale because I made them with a lot of heart and not for money. I feel a special fondness for Trump, his open and direct nature, his facial expressions and the way he deals with pressure inspires me. I am not bothered about what people say," explained the 37-year-old artist. "I most enjoy painting his eyes and his facial expressions," he added. The cafe has been specially decorated for the summit, with the flags of the US and North Korea, calls for peace and the portraits of Trump and Kim, another source of inspiration for Binh. "I made these paintings when I learnt about the summit, but I have had an interest in Kim for a while. I began to draw his portrait even before his first meeting with Trump. He is intelligent, firm, direct and brave for agreeing to meet with Trump," he said. The painter says he is especially drawn to the physical features of the North Korean leader, his "beautiful lips and round face," and went on to describe him as "a living masterpiece." Even though Kim does not enjoy Trump's popularity in Vietnam, there was one place in Hanoi that on Tuesday was eagerly looking forward to the North Korean leader's arrival: the Kindergarten of Friendship between North Korea and Vietnam. In Kim's honour, children between three and six years old along with their teachers performed a song and dance dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire, with the flags of both countries painted on their cheeks. The kindergarten was built in 1978 with funds from Pyongyang, and is now one of the most prestigious preschools in Hanoi, with 450 students and 17 classrooms, one of them dedicated to Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and Kim Jong-un's grandfather. Some of the teachers hope that Kim's agenda, which has not been made public by North Korean officials, will include a visit to their kindergarten. "We are all very hopeful; we don't know if he will come, but if he does, we will be prepared to give him a welcome," said one of the teachers.

Trump trumps Kim in popularity among residents of Vietnamese capital

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-kim-trump-arrives-in-hanoi-for-summit-talks-199903">US President Donald Trump</a> met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit.

Trump and Trong, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, met at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace.&nbsp;

Trump was later due to have lunch with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On Wednesday evening, Trump is scheduled to meet Kim at the city's Metropole hotel, eight months after their first summit in Singapore, to discuss efforts to get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.

US President Donald Trump met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit.

US President Donald Trump met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit. Trump and Trong, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, met at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace. Trump was later due to have lunch with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. On Wednesday evening, Trump is scheduled to meet Kim at the city's Metropole hotel, eight months after their first summit in Singapore, to discuss efforts to get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump meets Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong before second North Korea summit

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital.&nbsp;

Vietnam, a one-party state with little tolerance for dissent, is working hard to control every aspect of the closely-watched meeting to avoid even the most minor embarrassment on the world stage.&nbsp;

At least three dissidents were hauled off by police Wednesday as they tried to catch a glimpse of the leaders' motorcades in the streets of Hanoi.&nbsp;

"We were just taking photos then seven (plainclothes) men jumped into us and brought us here to the station," said Le Dung, livestreaming from a police post in Hanoi.&nbsp;

He was locked in a room with two other activists, he said, adding: "We are now guarded by only one militiaman, who knows nothing."

His live feed suddenly died late Wednesday and he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

Other dissidents said they were closely followed by plainclothes police or kept under de-facto house arrest with officers standing guard outside their homes.

"They are stationed outside my house and follow me whenever I go out," said Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist better known by his online nickname Anh Chi.

"For activists like me, the summit just means more trouble." 
Vietnam routinely locks up its critics, and has seen a spike in arrests since a hardline administration came to power in 2016.

Amnesty International called on Trump to press Kim on North Korea's dismal rights record at the summit.

The US president's "silence in the face of relentless and grave human rights violations has been deafening", said Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty's US branch.

Hanoi authorities deported Kim impersonator Howard X earlier this week after he appeared in public with Trump lookalike Russell White.

On Wednesday another Kim doppelganger, Thai Uthen Lueangsaengthong, was put on a plane home after he went on a walkabout in Hanoi, Thai press reported.&nbsp;

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital.

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital. Vietnam, a one-party state with little tolerance for dissent, is working hard to control every aspect of the closely-watched meeting to avoid even the most minor embarrassment on the world stage. At least three dissidents were hauled off by police Wednesday as they tried to catch a glimpse of the leaders' motorcades in the streets of Hanoi. "We were just taking photos then seven (plainclothes) men jumped into us and brought us here to the station," said Le Dung, livestreaming from a police post in Hanoi. He was locked in a room with two other activists, he said, adding: "We are now guarded by only one militiaman, who knows nothing." His live feed suddenly died late Wednesday and he could not be reached on his mobile phone. Other dissidents said they were closely followed by plainclothes police or kept under de-facto house arrest with officers standing guard outside their homes. "They are stationed outside my house and follow me whenever I go out," said Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist better known by his online nickname Anh Chi. "For activists like me, the summit just means more trouble." Vietnam routinely locks up its critics, and has seen a spike in arrests since a hardline administration came to power in 2016. Amnesty International called on Trump to press Kim on North Korea's dismal rights record at the summit. The US president's "silence in the face of relentless and grave human rights violations has been deafening", said Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty's US branch. Hanoi authorities deported Kim impersonator Howard X earlier this week after he appeared in public with Trump lookalike Russell White. On Wednesday another Kim doppelganger, Thai Uthen Lueangsaengthong, was put on a plane home after he went on a walkabout in Hanoi, Thai press reported.

Dissidents detained in Hanoi as Trump-Kim summit opens

Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi as second summit begins

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