North Korea's Kim Jong Un will soon make an official visit to Vietnam, Hanoi said Saturday as it beefed up security on the Chinese border where Kim is expected to cross by train ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump next week.&nbsp;

Vietnam is hastily preparing for a second summit between Trump and Kim on February 27-28 in Hanoi, and sources have said the North Korean leader is likely to arrive ahead of the meeting for an official visit and to tour industrial zones.&nbsp;

"Kim Jong Un will pay an official visit to Vietnam in the coming days," Vietnam's foreign ministry said Saturday in a post on its Facebook page, without providing dates.&nbsp;

Pyongyang has not yet publicly confirmed the summit with Trump, and routinely keeps Kim's travel plans shrouded in secrecy.&nbsp;

Several sources told AFP Kim is expected to arrive in Vietnam by train ahead of the summit, stopping at the Dong Dang train station near the China border and driving 170 kilometres to Hanoi by car.&nbsp;

Vietnam on Friday announced the unprecedented move of closing the stretch of road from the station to Hanoi on February 26 between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm, state media reported, suggesting Kim could travel on the road between those hours.

Soldiers were deployed to the Dong Dang train station on Saturday and along the road to Hanoi, according to AFP reporters at the scene, who spotted several military vehicles and communications equipment in the area. &nbsp;

"We are doing security sweeps all the way from Dong Dang to Hanoi and we have to finish by February 24. We are working on orders for the arrival of an important delegation," a soldier told AFP, requesting anonymity.

Security personnel tried to prevent anyone from taking photos and videos in the area and soldiers screened everyone who entered the Dong Dang station.

Bargaining chips&nbsp;

The 4,000-kilometre rail journey from Pyongyang to Vietnam via Beijing could take two and a half days in Kim's dark green armoured train, which is reportedly outfitted with conference rooms and several sleeping chambers.

He is expected to pass through the Chinese city of Dandong, where guests at a hotel facing the border bridge from North Korea were suddenly asked to leave Friday. The hotel was closed Saturday for impromptu renovations. &nbsp;

This will be Kim's inaugural visit to Vietnam, and the first time a North Korean leader has travelled to the country since his grandfather Kim Il Sung's trip in 1964.&nbsp;

Kim is expected to tack on a visit to Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh provinces, home to several industrial zones, sources told AFP. Bac Ninh is home to a Samsung factory, a major South Korean investor and leading exporter from Vietnam.&nbsp;

With its glittering post-war growth, Vietnam has been lauded as an economic model for isolated North Korea which has suffered under punishing sanctions.&nbsp;

North Korea is pushing for an easing of those sanctions, but Trump has said he will have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see them lifted.&nbsp;

Trump told reporters on Friday that reducing the presence of US forces in South Korea is "not one of the things on the table" and said he would not reveal his bargaining chips ahead of the meeting.&nbsp;

Though Pyongyang would be happy to see a reduction of US troops in South Korea Washington would face pushback from Seoul and Tokyo, whose conservative government is deeply wary of the North's intentions.&nbsp;

Teams from the United States and North Korea are already in Hanoi hashing out pre-summit preparations.&nbsp;

US special envoy to Pyongyang Stephen Biegun and his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol were both seen at the same Hanoi hotel this week, though neither side confirmed if the pair met face to face.&nbsp;

North Korea's Kim Jong Un will soon make an official visit to Vietnam, Hanoi said Saturday as it beefed up security on the Chinese border where Kim is expected to cross by train ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump next week.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un will soon make an official visit to Vietnam, Hanoi said Saturday as it beefed up security on the Chinese border where Kim is expected to cross by train ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump next week. Vietnam is hastily preparing for a second summit between Trump and Kim on February 27-28 in Hanoi, and sources have said the North Korean leader is likely to arrive ahead of the meeting for an official visit and to tour industrial zones. "Kim Jong Un will pay an official visit to Vietnam in the coming days," Vietnam's foreign ministry said Saturday in a post on its Facebook page, without providing dates. Pyongyang has not yet publicly confirmed the summit with Trump, and routinely keeps Kim's travel plans shrouded in secrecy. Several sources told AFP Kim is expected to arrive in Vietnam by train ahead of the summit, stopping at the Dong Dang train station near the China border and driving 170 kilometres to Hanoi by car. Vietnam on Friday announced the unprecedented move of closing the stretch of road from the station to Hanoi on February 26 between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm, state media reported, suggesting Kim could travel on the road between those hours. Soldiers were deployed to the Dong Dang train station on Saturday and along the road to Hanoi, according to AFP reporters at the scene, who spotted several military vehicles and communications equipment in the area. "We are doing security sweeps all the way from Dong Dang to Hanoi and we have to finish by February 24. We are working on orders for the arrival of an important delegation," a soldier told AFP, requesting anonymity. Security personnel tried to prevent anyone from taking photos and videos in the area and soldiers screened everyone who entered the Dong Dang station. Bargaining chips The 4,000-kilometre rail journey from Pyongyang to Vietnam via Beijing could take two and a half days in Kim's dark green armoured train, which is reportedly outfitted with conference rooms and several sleeping chambers. He is expected to pass through the Chinese city of Dandong, where guests at a hotel facing the border bridge from North Korea were suddenly asked to leave Friday. The hotel was closed Saturday for impromptu renovations. This will be Kim's inaugural visit to Vietnam, and the first time a North Korean leader has travelled to the country since his grandfather Kim Il Sung's trip in 1964. Kim is expected to tack on a visit to Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh provinces, home to several industrial zones, sources told AFP. Bac Ninh is home to a Samsung factory, a major South Korean investor and leading exporter from Vietnam. With its glittering post-war growth, Vietnam has been lauded as an economic model for isolated North Korea which has suffered under punishing sanctions. North Korea is pushing for an easing of those sanctions, but Trump has said he will have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see them lifted. Trump told reporters on Friday that reducing the presence of US forces in South Korea is "not one of the things on the table" and said he would not reveal his bargaining chips ahead of the meeting. Though Pyongyang would be happy to see a reduction of US troops in South Korea Washington would face pushback from Seoul and Tokyo, whose conservative government is deeply wary of the North's intentions. Teams from the United States and North Korea are already in Hanoi hashing out pre-summit preparations. US special envoy to Pyongyang Stephen Biegun and his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol were both seen at the same Hanoi hotel this week, though neither side confirmed if the pair met face to face.

North Korea's Kim to make official visit to Vietnam in 'coming days'

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-must-make-meaningful-gesture-to-see-sanctions-ease-trump-198678">summit in Vietnam next week</a>, a US official said Thursday.

The two leaders, who met for the first time in Singapore last June, are due to hold talks in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27-28.

Trump is seeking to persuade the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear arsenal.

A US officials said next week's meeting would be "similar in format to what we saw last June in Singapore... there will be an opportunity for the two leaders to see one another one-on-one" before holding meetings with their respective teams.

Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy to Pyongyang, is already in Hanoi holding talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol.

US officials have declined to speculate on what elements might be included in a joint statement at the end of the meeting.

On Wednesday, Trump again praised his relationship with the North Korean leader but said he would have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see sanctions lifted.

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said Thursday.

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said Thursday. The two leaders, who met for the first time in Singapore last June, are due to hold talks in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27-28. Trump is seeking to persuade the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear arsenal. A US officials said next week's meeting would be "similar in format to what we saw last June in Singapore... there will be an opportunity for the two leaders to see one another one-on-one" before holding meetings with their respective teams. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy to Pyongyang, is already in Hanoi holding talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol. US officials have declined to speculate on what elements might be included in a joint statement at the end of the meeting. On Wednesday, Trump again praised his relationship with the North Korean leader but said he would have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see sanctions lifted.

Trump and Kim to have one-on-one meeting at Vietnam summit

Vietnam is preparing for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-blocks-north-korean-air-traffic-revival-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit-sources-198208">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday.

It could take Kim at least two and a half days to travel the thousands of kilometres through China by train, from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Vietnam, meaning he would have to set off later this week in time for his planned Feb. 25 arrival.

Kim's train will stop at the Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang, where he will disembark and drive 170 km (105 miles) to Hanoi by car, the sources said.

Separately, three other sources with direct knowledge of the summit preparations told Reuters the preferred location for the Feb. 27-28 meeting between Trump and Kim is the Government Guesthouse, a colonial-era government building in central Hanoi.

All five sources who spoke to Reuters said the plans were subject to change. The sources were not authorised to speak to the media because of the sensitivities surround the secretive North Korean leader's travel plans.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the summit organising committee on Tuesday that security during the summit was "top priority", Vietnam's government said on its website on Wednesday.

The Metropole Hotel, opposite the Government Guesthouse, will be a backup location for the summit, two of the sources said.

On Saturday, a Reuters witness saw Kim Jong Un's close aide, Kim Chang Son, visiting the Government Guesthouse and the Metropole and Melia hotels in the centre of the capital.

Kim could possibly stay in the Melia hotel during his visit, one of the sources said.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Travel by train has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-uns-train-fresh-lobster-lady-conductors--french-wine-from-paris-126807">a favourite mode of transport for Kim Jong Un</a>, and his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

North Korea experts have remarked on how Kim Jong Un's overseas visits, such as his state visit to China in January, are reminiscent of Kim Il Sung.

"(His father) Kim Jong Il was very reclusive. He didn't like meeting foreign delegations, and he didn't really enjoy going to foreign countries," said Thae Yong Ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to Britain, who defected to South Korea in 2016, told media on Tuesday.

"But Kim Jong Un is a bit like Kim Il Sung. He really likes overseas activity," said Thae.

Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, visited Vietnam twice, in 1958 and 1964.

In 1958, Kim Il Sung went from Pyongyang to Beijing by plane, then from Beijing to Guangzhou by train, then he appears to have crossed the border from China to Hanoi by plane, South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on Tuesday citing archived Chinese media reports.

In 1964, Kim Il Sung visited Vietnam using a Vickers Viscount aircraft provided by China that was the personal plane of Mao Zedong's second-in-command Lin Biao, Kyunghyang reported.

Vietnam is preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday.

Vietnam is preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday. It could take Kim at least two and a half days to travel the thousands of kilometres through China by train, from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Vietnam, meaning he would have to set off later this week in time for his planned Feb. 25 arrival. Kim's train will stop at the Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang, where he will disembark and drive 170 km (105 miles) to Hanoi by car, the sources said. Separately, three other sources with direct knowledge of the summit preparations told Reuters the preferred location for the Feb. 27-28 meeting between Trump and Kim is the Government Guesthouse, a colonial-era government building in central Hanoi. All five sources who spoke to Reuters said the plans were subject to change. The sources were not authorised to speak to the media because of the sensitivities surround the secretive North Korean leader's travel plans. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the summit organising committee on Tuesday that security during the summit was "top priority", Vietnam's government said on its website on Wednesday. The Metropole Hotel, opposite the Government Guesthouse, will be a backup location for the summit, two of the sources said. On Saturday, a Reuters witness saw Kim Jong Un's close aide, Kim Chang Son, visiting the Government Guesthouse and the Metropole and Melia hotels in the centre of the capital. Kim could possibly stay in the Melia hotel during his visit, one of the sources said. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON Travel by train has been a favourite mode of transport for Kim Jong Un, and his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. North Korea experts have remarked on how Kim Jong Un's overseas visits, such as his state visit to China in January, are reminiscent of Kim Il Sung. "(His father) Kim Jong Il was very reclusive. He didn't like meeting foreign delegations, and he didn't really enjoy going to foreign countries," said Thae Yong Ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to Britain, who defected to South Korea in 2016, told media on Tuesday. "But Kim Jong Un is a bit like Kim Il Sung. He really likes overseas activity," said Thae. Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, visited Vietnam twice, in 1958 and 1964. In 1958, Kim Il Sung went from Pyongyang to Beijing by plane, then from Beijing to Guangzhou by train, then he appears to have crossed the border from China to Hanoi by plane, South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on Tuesday citing archived Chinese media reports. In 1964, Kim Il Sung visited Vietnam using a Vickers Viscount aircraft provided by China that was the personal plane of Mao Zedong's second-in-command Lin Biao, Kyunghyang reported.

North Korea's Kim to travel to Vietnam for Trump summit by train, could take him over 2 days to get there

North Korea is facing a "significant, historic turning point", state media said on Monday, ahead of a highly-anticipated second summit between <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-confident-about-his-second-summit-with-kim-says-it-will-be-very-successful-one-197734">Donald Trump</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-to-arrive-in-vietnam-on-february-25-ahead-of-trump-summit-197828">Kim Jong Un</a>.

The meeting between the two leaders -- which will be the second time the pair have come together following their Singapore summit in June -- is scheduled for Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27-28.&nbsp;

Attention has been focused on whether the US team will offer to lift some economic sanctions on North Korea, in return for Pyongyang taking concrete steps toward denuclearisation. &nbsp;

"It is time for us to tighten our shoe strings and run fast, looking for a higher goal as we face this decisive moment," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial.

"Our country is facing a significant, historic turning point," it added, without explicitly referencing the summit.

Earlier this month, US President Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim.

"He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him &amp; fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

The Rodong Sinmun commentary called on North Koreans to make greater efforts to boost the country's economy.

North Korea is rising as a "strong, socialist nation," and one's true act of patriotism begins at one's workplace, the commentary added.

"Each and every product should be made to make our country shine."

North Korea, which holds most of the peninsula's mineral resources, was once wealthier than the South, but decades of mismanagement and the demise of its former paymaster the Soviet Union have left it deeply impoverished.

In 2017 the UN Security Council banned the North's main exports -- coal and other mineral resources, fisheries and textile products -- to cut off its access to hard currency in response to Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.&nbsp;

North Korea is facing a "significant, historic turning point", state media said on Monday, ahead of a highly-anticipated second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

North Korea is facing a "significant, historic turning point", state media said on Monday, ahead of a highly-anticipated second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. The meeting between the two leaders -- which will be the second time the pair have come together following their Singapore summit in June -- is scheduled for Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27-28. Attention has been focused on whether the US team will offer to lift some economic sanctions on North Korea, in return for Pyongyang taking concrete steps toward denuclearisation. "It is time for us to tighten our shoe strings and run fast, looking for a higher goal as we face this decisive moment," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial. "Our country is facing a significant, historic turning point," it added, without explicitly referencing the summit. Earlier this month, US President Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," said Trump. The Rodong Sinmun commentary called on North Koreans to make greater efforts to boost the country's economy. North Korea is rising as a "strong, socialist nation," and one's true act of patriotism begins at one's workplace, the commentary added. "Each and every product should be made to make our country shine." North Korea, which holds most of the peninsula's mineral resources, was once wealthier than the South, but decades of mismanagement and the demise of its former paymaster the Soviet Union have left it deeply impoverished. In 2017 the UN Security Council banned the North's main exports -- coal and other mineral resources, fisheries and textile products -- to cut off its access to hard currency in response to Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

North Korea faces 'historic turning point': State media ahead of US summit

Exuding confidence ahead of his high-profile meeting with Kim Jong-un later this month, US President Donald Trump has said the <a href="North Korea officials en-route to Vietnam ahead of Trump-Kim summit">second summit</a> will be a "very successful one" as he has established a "very good" relationship with the North Korean leader.

President Trump and Chairman Kim are scheduled to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27 and 28.

The two leaders had met on June 12 last year in Singapore for the first summit. Trump described his first-ever historic meeting with Kim as "really fantastic" and said they had agreed to sign an unspecified document after their "very positive" summit, aimed at normalising ties and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"I hope we have the same good luck as we had in the first summit. A lot was done in the first summit. No more rockets going up. No more missiles going up. No more testing of nuclear (weapons). Got back our remains, the remains of our great heroes from the Korean War. We got back our hostages," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.

"We hope we are going to be very much equally as successful. I'm in no rush for speed. We just don't want to test," he said.

Noting that the sanctions against North Koreans remain in place, Trump&nbsp;said both China and Russia were helping the US and he was also working closely with South Korea and Japan.

"But China, Russia, on the border, have really been at least partially living up to what they're supposed to be doing," he said.

"So we will have a meeting on the 27th and 28th of February, and I think that will be a very successful one. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim.&nbsp;We have also established a very good relationship, which has never happened between him or his family and the United States. They have really taken advantage of the United States. Billions of dollars have been paid to them. And we won't let that happen," said the US President.

Trump said North Korea had tremendous potential as an economic force.

"Their location between South Korea and then Russia and China - right smack in the middle - is phenomenal. We think that they have a great chance for tremendous economic prosperity in the future. So I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim in Vietnam," he said.

"A lot has been accomplished. We're dealing with them, we're talking to them," he said.

The US president had said after the first summit that he believed he and Kim will "solve a big problem, a big dilemma" and that by working together, "we will get it taken care of".

The summit at Singapore's Sentosa island - the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader - had marked a turnaround of relations between Trump, 72, and Kim, 36, after a long-running exchange of threats and insults.

"When I came into office, I met right there, in the Oval Office, with President Obama. And I sat in those beautiful chairs and we talked. It was supposed to be 15 minutes. As you know, it ended up being many times longer than that," he said, recollecting his first conversation with his predecessor&nbsp; 
Barack Obama.

"I said, "What's the biggest problem?" He said, By far, North Korea" And I don't want to speak for him, but I believe he would have gone to war with North Korea. I think he was ready to go to war. In fact, he told me he was so close to starting a big war with North Korea. And where are we now? No missiles. No rockets. No nuclear testing. We've learned a lot," he said.

"But much more importantly than all of it - much more important - much, much more important that that is we have a great relationship. I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un," Trump said ahead of his meeting.

The US insists it will accept nothing less than complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Exuding confidence ahead of his high-profile meeting with Kim Jong-un later this month, US President Donald Trump has said the second summit will be a "very successful one" as he has established a "very good" relationship with the North Korean leader.

Exuding confidence ahead of his high-profile meeting with Kim Jong-un later this month, US President Donald Trump has said the second summit will be a "very successful one" as he has established a "very good" relationship with the North Korean leader. President Trump and Chairman Kim are scheduled to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27 and 28. The two leaders had met on June 12 last year in Singapore for the first summit. Trump described his first-ever historic meeting with Kim as "really fantastic" and said they had agreed to sign an unspecified document after their "very positive" summit, aimed at normalising ties and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "I hope we have the same good luck as we had in the first summit. A lot was done in the first summit. No more rockets going up. No more missiles going up. No more testing of nuclear (weapons). Got back our remains, the remains of our great heroes from the Korean War. We got back our hostages," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. "We hope we are going to be very much equally as successful. I'm in no rush for speed. We just don't want to test," he said. Noting that the sanctions against North Koreans remain in place, Trump said both China and Russia were helping the US and he was also working closely with South Korea and Japan. "But China, Russia, on the border, have really been at least partially living up to what they're supposed to be doing," he said. "So we will have a meeting on the 27th and 28th of February, and I think that will be a very successful one. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim. We have also established a very good relationship, which has never happened between him or his family and the United States. They have really taken advantage of the United States. Billions of dollars have been paid to them. And we won't let that happen," said the US President. Trump said North Korea had tremendous potential as an economic force. "Their location between South Korea and then Russia and China - right smack in the middle - is phenomenal. We think that they have a great chance for tremendous economic prosperity in the future. So I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim in Vietnam," he said. "A lot has been accomplished. We're dealing with them, we're talking to them," he said. The US president had said after the first summit that he believed he and Kim will "solve a big problem, a big dilemma" and that by working together, "we will get it taken care of". The summit at Singapore's Sentosa island - the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader - had marked a turnaround of relations between Trump, 72, and Kim, 36, after a long-running exchange of threats and insults. "When I came into office, I met right there, in the Oval Office, with President Obama. And I sat in those beautiful chairs and we talked. It was supposed to be 15 minutes. As you know, it ended up being many times longer than that," he said, recollecting his first conversation with his predecessor Barack Obama. "I said, "What's the biggest problem?" He said, By far, North Korea" And I don't want to speak for him, but I believe he would have gone to war with North Korea. I think he was ready to go to war. In fact, he told me he was so close to starting a big war with North Korea. And where are we now? No missiles. No rockets. No nuclear testing. We've learned a lot," he said. "But much more importantly than all of it - much more important - much, much more important that that is we have a great relationship. I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un," Trump said ahead of his meeting. The US insists it will accept nothing less than complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Trump confident about his second summit with Kim, says it will be 'very successful one'

The choice of Vietnam as host of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-a-remarkable-breakthrough-for-peace-south-korean-president-moon-196694">this month's summit</a> between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shows the Southeast Asian nation is headed in the right direction, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Tuesday.

Last week, Trump said he would hold his second meeting with Kim in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27 and 28. That follows an unprecedented June 11 summit of the two leaders in the wealthy city of Singapore.

"This important event has shown that Vietnam's investment environment is good, that Vietnam's development model is going in a right direction and especially that the security and safety in Vietnam is wonderful," Phuc told government officials at the Hanoi Stock Exchange.

"Vietnam will demonstrate its international role and do its best to let the word 'Vietnam'&nbsp;ring out."

Vietnam's foreign minister, Pham Binh Minh, will visit North Korea from February 12 to 14 ahead of the summit.&nbsp;

In a statement on Tuesday, North Korean state news agency KCNA confirmed the Vietnamese delegation had arrived, but did not provide any details of their itinerary or agenda.

As Vietnam prepares for the summit, its reform model is being widely touted as the economic path for impoverished and isolated North Korea to follow.

Last year, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said North Korea could follow the example of Vietnam, adding that Trump believed Pyongyang could replicate Hanoi's path to normal relations with Washington and to prosperity.

The choice of Vietnam as host of this month's summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shows the Southeast Asian nation is headed in the right direction, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Tuesday.

The choice of Vietnam as host of this month's summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shows the Southeast Asian nation is headed in the right direction, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Tuesday. Last week, Trump said he would hold his second meeting with Kim in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27 and 28. That follows an unprecedented June 11 summit of the two leaders in the wealthy city of Singapore. "This important event has shown that Vietnam's investment environment is good, that Vietnam's development model is going in a right direction and especially that the security and safety in Vietnam is wonderful," Phuc told government officials at the Hanoi Stock Exchange. "Vietnam will demonstrate its international role and do its best to let the word 'Vietnam' ring out." Vietnam's foreign minister, Pham Binh Minh, will visit North Korea from February 12 to 14 ahead of the summit. In a statement on Tuesday, North Korean state news agency KCNA confirmed the Vietnamese delegation had arrived, but did not provide any details of their itinerary or agenda. As Vietnam prepares for the summit, its reform model is being widely touted as the economic path for impoverished and isolated North Korea to follow. Last year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said North Korea could follow the example of Vietnam, adding that Trump believed Pyongyang could replicate Hanoi's path to normal relations with Washington and to prosperity.

Vietnam says being chosen to host second Trump-Kim summit is positive sign

A striking installation made up of 168,000 discarded straws arranged to form surreal blue and green waves are triggering a storm against plastic waste in Vietnam, a country that dumps some eight million tons of plastic in the sea every year.

The installation to visualize the hazards of plastic waste has been created by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong to spur the consciousness of the Vietnamese.

Titled "Parting of the Plastic Sea" in reference to Biblical division of the Red Sea, the 3.3-metre straw structure is to make people aware of the environmental problems triggered by the amount of plastic residue that ends up in seas and rivers, according to Wong.

The structure is on display at a Ho Chi Minh City mall and will remain there until March 24.

Visitors get attracted to the stunning installation. They click pictures and most of them don't leave without seeing an explanatory video on the making of the creation as they walk through the passage between the waves in the sea of straw.

Wong told EFE that he wanted to create something that could not be ignored by those who see it.

He chose discarded straws and called it Strawpocalypse. Straw, because it can be easily given up and does not require any sacrifice.

The project began last May when Julia Mesner, founder of Saigon Zero Waste, contacted Wong to help generate awareness using an artwork about the problem of plastic waste in Vietnam.

Dozens of Saigon Zero Waste volunteers then collected thousands of discarded straws over two months.

Wong also teamed up with Starbucks, regularly criticized by environmentalist groups for the plastic waste it generates across the world.

Mesner said Starbucks helped in the straw collection at their branches and also helped the project financially.

She said straws at Starbucks across Vietnam were hidden and were given only when customers asked for them.

Mesner said her organization in the last year and half of its existence has convinced over 100 establishments in the city to use eco-friendly, metal or bamboo straws.

Mesner and her husband Michael Burdge decided to set up Saigon Zero Waste when they were on an excursion where they saw a monkey chewing a plastic bag. They realized the magnitude of the plastic problem in the country.

According to Science magazine report in 2015, Vietnam was at the fourth place in the world among the countries that dump the largest amount of plastic in the sea with eight million tons annually.

Another study of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in collaboration with France's research institute for development in 2018, found out that the level of microplastics in rivers and canals of the city was thousand times more than rivers in Europe.

Wong said the Vietnamese ensure that the roads in front of their homes were clean. But they would dump garbage in drains, thinking that they have solved the problem and not realizing they have actually created them.

However, Wong added, the situation is no different in the rest of Southeast Asia.

Overwhelmed by the statistics that forecast more plastic in the oceans than fish in 2050, Wong prefers to put more emphasis on small actions to create global changes and highlight a positive mentality that he has found in many young Vietnamese during the execution of his work.

Wong said it was motivating and inspiring to see new generations concerned about environmental problems and dedicating their time and effort in helping out in the project.

A striking installation made up of 168,000 discarded straws arranged to form surreal blue and green waves are triggering a storm against plastic waste in Vietnam, a country that dumps some eight million tons of plastic in the sea every year.

A striking installation made up of 168,000 discarded straws arranged to form surreal blue and green waves are triggering a storm against plastic waste in Vietnam, a country that dumps some eight million tons of plastic in the sea every year. The installation to visualize the hazards of plastic waste has been created by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong to spur the consciousness of the Vietnamese. Titled "Parting of the Plastic Sea" in reference to Biblical division of the Red Sea, the 3.3-metre straw structure is to make people aware of the environmental problems triggered by the amount of plastic residue that ends up in seas and rivers, according to Wong. The structure is on display at a Ho Chi Minh City mall and will remain there until March 24. Visitors get attracted to the stunning installation. They click pictures and most of them don't leave without seeing an explanatory video on the making of the creation as they walk through the passage between the waves in the sea of straw. Wong told EFE that he wanted to create something that could not be ignored by those who see it. He chose discarded straws and called it Strawpocalypse. Straw, because it can be easily given up and does not require any sacrifice. The project began last May when Julia Mesner, founder of Saigon Zero Waste, contacted Wong to help generate awareness using an artwork about the problem of plastic waste in Vietnam. Dozens of Saigon Zero Waste volunteers then collected thousands of discarded straws over two months. Wong also teamed up with Starbucks, regularly criticized by environmentalist groups for the plastic waste it generates across the world. Mesner said Starbucks helped in the straw collection at their branches and also helped the project financially. She said straws at Starbucks across Vietnam were hidden and were given only when customers asked for them. Mesner said her organization in the last year and half of its existence has convinced over 100 establishments in the city to use eco-friendly, metal or bamboo straws. Mesner and her husband Michael Burdge decided to set up Saigon Zero Waste when they were on an excursion where they saw a monkey chewing a plastic bag. They realized the magnitude of the plastic problem in the country. According to Science magazine report in 2015, Vietnam was at the fourth place in the world among the countries that dump the largest amount of plastic in the sea with eight million tons annually. Another study of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in collaboration with France's research institute for development in 2018, found out that the level of microplastics in rivers and canals of the city was thousand times more than rivers in Europe. Wong said the Vietnamese ensure that the roads in front of their homes were clean. But they would dump garbage in drains, thinking that they have solved the problem and not realizing they have actually created them. However, Wong added, the situation is no different in the rest of Southeast Asia. Overwhelmed by the statistics that forecast more plastic in the oceans than fish in 2050, Wong prefers to put more emphasis on small actions to create global changes and highlight a positive mentality that he has found in many young Vietnamese during the execution of his work. Wong said it was motivating and inspiring to see new generations concerned about environmental problems and dedicating their time and effort in helping out in the project.

Fighting back plastic pollution with a sea of straws in Vietnam

Duplicate accounts in Facebook grew over three times to more than 250 million during the last three years when it comes to Monthly Active Users are concerned, according to the numbers supplied by the social networking site in it's latest annual report.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, Facebook estimated that duplicate accounts may have represented approximately 11 per cent of its MAUs while the figure was 5 per cent in 2015.

Monthly active users (MAUs) were 1.59 billion as of December 31, 2015 while it grew to 2.32 billion as of December 31, 2018, it said.

A MAU is defined as a registered Facebook user who logged in and visited the site through website or a mobile device, or used Messenger application in the last 30 days as of the date of measurement.

"In the fourth quarter of 2018, we estimate that duplicate accounts may have represented approximately 11 per cent of our worldwide MAUs. We believe the percentage of duplicate accounts is meaningfully higher in developing markets such as the Philippines and Vietnam, as compared to more developed markets," Facebook said it's 2018 annual report.

"In the fourth quarter of 2018, we estimate that false accounts may have represented approximately 5 per cent of our worldwide MAUs. Our estimation of false accounts can vary as a result of episodic spikes in the creation, it said.

The estimates of duplicate and false accounts are based on an internal review of a limited sample of accounts, and the site applies significant judgement in making this determination, it said.

A duplicate account is one that a user maintains in addition to his or her principal account while 'false' accounts are divided into two categories.

The false accounts are categorised into user-misclassified accounts, where users have created personal profiles for a business, organisation, or non-human entity such as a pet (such entities are permitted on Facebook using a page rather than a personal profile under terms of service). The second is undesirable accounts, which represent user profiles that were determined as intended to be used for purposes that violate our terms of service, such as spamming.

Worldwide Daily Active Users increased by 9 per cent to 1.52 billion on average during December 2018 from 1. 40 billion during December 2017.

"Users in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines represented key sources of growth in DAUs during December 2018, relative to the same period in 2017," Facebook said.

Duplicate accounts in Facebook grew over three times to more than 250 million during the last three years when it comes to Monthly Active Users are concerned, according to the numbers supplied by the social networking site in it's latest annual report.

Duplicate accounts in Facebook grew over three times to more than 250 million during the last three years when it comes to Monthly Active Users are concerned, according to the numbers supplied by the social networking site in it's latest annual report. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Facebook estimated that duplicate accounts may have represented approximately 11 per cent of its MAUs while the figure was 5 per cent in 2015. Monthly active users (MAUs) were 1.59 billion as of December 31, 2015 while it grew to 2.32 billion as of December 31, 2018, it said. A MAU is defined as a registered Facebook user who logged in and visited the site through website or a mobile device, or used Messenger application in the last 30 days as of the date of measurement. "In the fourth quarter of 2018, we estimate that duplicate accounts may have represented approximately 11 per cent of our worldwide MAUs. We believe the percentage of duplicate accounts is meaningfully higher in developing markets such as the Philippines and Vietnam, as compared to more developed markets," Facebook said it's 2018 annual report. "In the fourth quarter of 2018, we estimate that false accounts may have represented approximately 5 per cent of our worldwide MAUs. Our estimation of false accounts can vary as a result of episodic spikes in the creation, it said. The estimates of duplicate and false accounts are based on an internal review of a limited sample of accounts, and the site applies significant judgement in making this determination, it said. A duplicate account is one that a user maintains in addition to his or her principal account while 'false' accounts are divided into two categories. The false accounts are categorised into user-misclassified accounts, where users have created personal profiles for a business, organisation, or non-human entity such as a pet (such entities are permitted on Facebook using a page rather than a personal profile under terms of service). The second is undesirable accounts, which represent user profiles that were determined as intended to be used for purposes that violate our terms of service, such as spamming. Worldwide Daily Active Users increased by 9 per cent to 1.52 billion on average during December 2018 from 1. 40 billion during December 2017. "Users in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines represented key sources of growth in DAUs during December 2018, relative to the same period in 2017," Facebook said.

Duplicate Facebook accounts tripled in three years at 250 million

A court in Vietnam has jailed a man for 14 years for attempting to overthrow the state, in cahoots with a group based in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.

Phan Van Binh, 47, was accused by the court of working for a California-based group called the Provisional National Government of Vietnam, which opposes the ruling Communist Party, the ministry said in a statement on its official news website.

"Binh's activities were serious violations of the law which undermined national unity, infringed upon national security, and went against the national interest," the ministry said, citing state prosecutors present at the one-day trial in the central province of Khanh Hoa.

Despite sweeping economic reform and increasing openness to social change, Vietnam's ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and does not tolerate criticism.

Binh uploaded posts to his Facebook account that "smeared the image of Ho Chi Minh, and the leaders of the party and the state", the ministry said in its statement, referring to the Vietnamese revolutionary leader and founding president.

Binh's Facebook posts "distorted the Party's history and guidance, and the state's policies and laws, with the aim of overthrowing the people's administration," the ministry said.

A Facebook spokeswoman declined to comment. Reuters was unable to identify and contact Binh's lawyers. Telephone calls to the court went unanswered.

The Provisional National Government of Vietnam, which is listed by the Ministry of Public Security as a "terrorist organisation", did not respond to a request for comment.

The organisation's leader, Dao Minh Quan, assigned Binh to recruit people into joining the group by using his telephone to show videos created by the organisation to his neighbours, the ministry said.

Facebook is widely used in Vietnam and serves as the main platform for dissidents. This month, Vietnam accused Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law by allowing users to post anti-government comments.

A court in Vietnam has jailed a man for 14 years for attempting to overthrow the state, in cahoots with a group based in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.

A court in Vietnam has jailed a man for 14 years for attempting to overthrow the state, in cahoots with a group based in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday. Phan Van Binh, 47, was accused by the court of working for a California-based group called the Provisional National Government of Vietnam, which opposes the ruling Communist Party, the ministry said in a statement on its official news website. "Binh's activities were serious violations of the law which undermined national unity, infringed upon national security, and went against the national interest," the ministry said, citing state prosecutors present at the one-day trial in the central province of Khanh Hoa. Despite sweeping economic reform and increasing openness to social change, Vietnam's ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and does not tolerate criticism. Binh uploaded posts to his Facebook account that "smeared the image of Ho Chi Minh, and the leaders of the party and the state", the ministry said in its statement, referring to the Vietnamese revolutionary leader and founding president. Binh's Facebook posts "distorted the Party's history and guidance, and the state's policies and laws, with the aim of overthrowing the people's administration," the ministry said. A Facebook spokeswoman declined to comment. Reuters was unable to identify and contact Binh's lawyers. Telephone calls to the court went unanswered. The Provisional National Government of Vietnam, which is listed by the Ministry of Public Security as a "terrorist organisation", did not respond to a request for comment. The organisation's leader, Dao Minh Quan, assigned Binh to recruit people into joining the group by using his telephone to show videos created by the organisation to his neighbours, the ministry said. Facebook is widely used in Vietnam and serves as the main platform for dissidents. This month, Vietnam accused Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law by allowing users to post anti-government comments.

Vietnam jails man for 14 years for attempting to overthrow state

Vietnam's premier has said his country is willing to host a much-anticipated second summit between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/if-trump-and-kim-can-meet-why-not-other-countries-nepal-on-stalled-saarc-summit-189572&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiO7uCmmPffAhXLK48KHa7fAwYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1b50NO0aT8xriJ5tGTMLsX">US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.</a>

One of North Korea's top generals Kim Yong Chol is expected to meet with Trump at the White House on Friday to hash out details of a second meeting with Kim, including a potential venue.

The second round of talks follow a historic summit in Singapore last year and are aimed at denuclearisation and ending decades of enmity between the two nations.

Vietnam has cropped up in the swirl of rumours and conjecture over a possible site for the meeting, with the capital Hanoi or the coastal city of Danang seemingly the most likely bases for the summit.

On Thursday Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he would be open to hosting it.

"We don't know the final decision. However, if it happens here we will do our best to facilitate the meeting," he said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.&nbsp;

"Vietnam has cooperated well with the US in developing economic and trade relations, as well as in other areas."

A Vietnamese government source who wished to remain anonymous told AFP "logistical preparations" were underway for a Trump-Kim summit although "no official decision" had been made.

"There is lots of work to be done, not only for Danang but some other locations for the event. The Vietnamese side is ready to host... but it is not up to us to decide."

Like several other Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam maintains diplomatic ties with both communist-run Pyongyang and Washington and is keen to host major global events as it tries to project a more confident global profile.

Communist Vietnam hosted a major Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in the central city of Danang in 2017 attended by global leaders, including Trump.

Hanoi also welcomed North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho in November for a visit reportedly aimed at sharing lessons from its economic success story.

Hosting a meeting of this calibre that will draw attention — and scrutiny — from around the world will be "very significant", said Nguyen Vinh Quang, an analyst at Vietnam's Center for Strategic Studies and International Development.

"It will show Vietnam's contribution to global peace. Secondly, Vietnam can affirm its role as a reliable partner for countries around the world," he told AFP.

Trump has said he is eager to meet with Kim again after their historic summit in June, the first-ever meeting between two sitting leaders from two countries that never formally ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

The leaders agreed on a vaguely-worded statement in which Kim pledged to work toward "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

But progress has since stalled with the two sides sparring over what that means.&nbsp;

Kim is hoping for an easing of international sanctions but the United States insists on maintaining maximum pressure until Pyongyang moves forward on giving up its nuclear weapons.

Vietnam's premier has said his country is willing to host a much-anticipated second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Vietnam's premier has said his country is willing to host a much-anticipated second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. One of North Korea's top generals Kim Yong Chol is expected to meet with Trump at the White House on Friday to hash out details of a second meeting with Kim, including a potential venue. The second round of talks follow a historic summit in Singapore last year and are aimed at denuclearisation and ending decades of enmity between the two nations. Vietnam has cropped up in the swirl of rumours and conjecture over a possible site for the meeting, with the capital Hanoi or the coastal city of Danang seemingly the most likely bases for the summit. On Thursday Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he would be open to hosting it. "We don't know the final decision. However, if it happens here we will do our best to facilitate the meeting," he said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. "Vietnam has cooperated well with the US in developing economic and trade relations, as well as in other areas." A Vietnamese government source who wished to remain anonymous told AFP "logistical preparations" were underway for a Trump-Kim summit although "no official decision" had been made. "There is lots of work to be done, not only for Danang but some other locations for the event. The Vietnamese side is ready to host... but it is not up to us to decide." Like several other Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam maintains diplomatic ties with both communist-run Pyongyang and Washington and is keen to host major global events as it tries to project a more confident global profile. Communist Vietnam hosted a major Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in the central city of Danang in 2017 attended by global leaders, including Trump. Hanoi also welcomed North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho in November for a visit reportedly aimed at sharing lessons from its economic success story. Hosting a meeting of this calibre that will draw attention — and scrutiny — from around the world will be "very significant", said Nguyen Vinh Quang, an analyst at Vietnam's Center for Strategic Studies and International Development. "It will show Vietnam's contribution to global peace. Secondly, Vietnam can affirm its role as a reliable partner for countries around the world," he told AFP. Trump has said he is eager to meet with Kim again after their historic summit in June, the first-ever meeting between two sitting leaders from two countries that never formally ended the 1950-53 Korean War. The leaders agreed on a vaguely-worded statement in which Kim pledged to work toward "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". But progress has since stalled with the two sides sparring over what that means. Kim is hoping for an easing of international sanctions but the United States insists on maintaining maximum pressure until Pyongyang moves forward on giving up its nuclear weapons.

Vietnam 'willing' to host Trump-Kim summit: Report

Vietnam has accused <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-facebook-propel-wall-street-to-three-week-peak-189115">Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law</a> by refusing to scrub anti-government content from its site, the first reprimand since the controversial bill came into effect days ago.

The law, which went live January 1 and has drawn criticism from the US, the EU, and web freedom groups, requires internet companies to remove "toxic content" and hand over user data when requested by authorities.

It also stipulates that companies should host servers in the one-party state — including banks and e-commerce companies — sparking fears of data and privacy breaches and cybersecurity threats.

State broadcaster Vietnam Television reported Wednesday that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-ads-may-help-reduce-cancer-deaths-study-187324">Facebook failed to take down pages</a> allegedly calling for anti-government activities, citing requests from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The ministry sent several letters and emails requesting the removals, according to the report.

But Facebook "delayed and even failed to remove information, claiming the information did not violate community standards," VTV reported.

Vietnam also accused the company of hosting advertisements for "illegal products" including counterfeit money, fake goods, weapons and firecrackers, the report added. &nbsp;

The ministry could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The consequences for violating the law are expected to be laid out in a decree which has yet to be made public.

Vietnam has said the bill is designed to improve cybersecurity in the country, but critics say the legislation — which mirrors China's draconian internet rules — is aimed at silencing online dissent.

In a statement to AFP Wednesday, Facebook said it is "transparent about the content restrictions we make pursuant with local law in our Transparency Report".

"We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all these requests against our terms of service and local law," a spokeswoman told AFP.

Social media is a crucial platform for activists in communist Vietnam, where all independent press and public protests are banned.

Facebook is by far the most popular tool for activists, though several have complained to AFP in recent months that posts have disappeared and accounts been blocked.

Unlike in China, social media and instant messaging services like WhatsApp are not banned, and analysts say the cybersecurity law is a means to control online expression without banning services — a move that would likely cause a widespread outcry.

There are more than 53 million Facebook users in Vietnam — over half of the population — many of whom use the site as a crucial platform for business and commerce.

State broadcaster Vietnam Television reported Wednesday that Facebook failed to take down pages allegedly calling for anti-government activities.

Vietnam has accused Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law by refusing to scrub anti-government content from its site, the first reprimand since the controversial bill came into effect days ago. The law, which went live January 1 and has drawn criticism from the US, the EU, and web freedom groups, requires internet companies to remove "toxic content" and hand over user data when requested by authorities. It also stipulates that companies should host servers in the one-party state — including banks and e-commerce companies — sparking fears of data and privacy breaches and cybersecurity threats. State broadcaster Vietnam Television reported Wednesday that Facebook failed to take down pages allegedly calling for anti-government activities, citing requests from the Ministry of Information and Communications. The ministry sent several letters and emails requesting the removals, according to the report. But Facebook "delayed and even failed to remove information, claiming the information did not violate community standards," VTV reported. Vietnam also accused the company of hosting advertisements for "illegal products" including counterfeit money, fake goods, weapons and firecrackers, the report added. The ministry could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The consequences for violating the law are expected to be laid out in a decree which has yet to be made public. Vietnam has said the bill is designed to improve cybersecurity in the country, but critics say the legislation — which mirrors China's draconian internet rules — is aimed at silencing online dissent. In a statement to AFP Wednesday, Facebook said it is "transparent about the content restrictions we make pursuant with local law in our Transparency Report". "We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all these requests against our terms of service and local law," a spokeswoman told AFP. Social media is a crucial platform for activists in communist Vietnam, where all independent press and public protests are banned. Facebook is by far the most popular tool for activists, though several have complained to AFP in recent months that posts have disappeared and accounts been blocked. Unlike in China, social media and instant messaging services like WhatsApp are not banned, and analysts say the cybersecurity law is a means to control online expression without banning services — a move that would likely cause a widespread outcry. There are more than 53 million Facebook users in Vietnam — over half of the population — many of whom use the site as a crucial platform for business and commerce.

Vietnam accuses Facebook of breaching new cyber law

Tough negotiations lie ahead over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-consultation-should-be-finished-in-3-years-china-177007">a new pact between China and Southeast Asian nations </a>aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, as Vietnam pushes for provisions likely to prove unpalatable to Beijing, documents reviewed by Reuters suggest.

Hanoi wants the pact to outlaw many of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/chinas-expansionism-in-south-china-sea-impinges-on-indias-vital-interests-186529">actions China has carried out </a>across the hotly disputed waterway in recent years, including artificial island building, blockades and offensive weaponry such as missile deployments, according to a negotiating draft of the ASEAN Code of Conduct (COC) seen by Reuters.

The draft also shows Hanoi is pushing for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone - something Beijing unilaterally announced over the East China Sea in 2013. Chinese officials have not ruled out a similar move, in which all aircraft are supposed to identify themselves to Chinese authorities, over the South China Sea.

Hanoi is also demanding states clarify their maritime claims in the vital trade route according to international law – an apparent attempt to shatter the controversial "nine-dash line" by which China claims and patrols much of the South China Sea, the draft shows.

"Going forward, there will be some very testy exchanges between the Vietnamese and China in particular over the text of this agreement," said Singapore-based Ian Storey, a veteran South China Sea expert, who has seen the draft.

"Vietnam is including those points or activities that they want forbidden by the Code of Conduct precisely because China has been carrying these out for the last 10 years."

Le Thi Thu Hang, a spokeswoman at the Vietnam Foreign Ministry, said negotiations on the Code of Conduct had made some progress recently, with Vietnam actively participating and other countries showing "their constructive and cooperative spirit".

"Vietnam wishes related countries to continue their efforts and make a positive contribution to the negotiation process in order to achieve a substantive and effective COC in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the East Sea (South China Sea) in particular and in the region in general," she said.

Singapore’s Foreign Ministry, the chair of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc for 2018, did not respond to a request for comment.

“We cannot comment right now but Thailand certainly supports discussion on the single negotiating draft,” said Busadee Santipitaks, a spokeswoman for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which takes over as ASEAN chair in the new year.

China seeks ban on outsider drills

The draft also confirms earlier reports that China wants military drills with outside powers in the South China Sea to be blocked unless all signatories agree.

In addition, Beijing wants to exclude foreign oil firms by limiting joint development deals with China and South East Asia. Experts expect both elements to be strongly resisted by some ASEAN countries.

"That is unacceptable," one Southeast Asian diplomat told Reuters, referring specifically to the suggested ban on military drills with countries outside the region.

In a statement sent to Reuters, China's Foreign Ministry said negotiations on the code were confidential, and it could not comment on their content.

The next round of working-level talks is expected to take place in Myanmar in the first quarter of next year, the Southeast Asian diplomat said.

In August, Chinese and ASEAN officials hailed the initial negotiating text as a milestone and a breakthrough when it was endorsed by the foreign ministers of ASEAN and China.

It will be negotiated over the coming year by senior ASEAN and Chinese officials and has not yet been released publicly.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last month called for the pact to be sealed by 2021, a timetable some envoys and analysts are sceptical can be reached.

"There's a lot of tough work ahead - that figure seems to have just been plucked from the air," one senior Asian diplomat said.

Dead letter?

The code builds on an earlier declaration on the South China Sea signed between ASEAN and China in 2002.

That document did not prevent the vital international trade route emerging as a regional flashpoint amid China's military rise and its extensive programme of island building on disputed reefs since 2014.

The United States and other regional powers including Japan and India are not part of the negotiations, but take a strong interest in the waterway that links Northeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe.&nbsp;

Several countries, including Japan, India, Britain and Australia, have joined the United States in gradually increasing naval deployments through the South China Sea. They are often shadowed by Chinese naval ships.

Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam's military and diplomacy at Australia's Defence Force Academy, said Hanoi was expected to prove a tough negotiator but would need support among other ASEAN members to hold a firm line against China.

The Philippines successfully challenged Beijing's South China Sea claims in an international arbitration case in 2016 but has reversed policy under President Rodrigo Duterte, who has avoided confronting China as he seeks to secure billions of dollars of loans and investments for his infrastructure programme.

The 19-page draft remains vague in key areas including its precise geographic scope, whether it will be legally binding and how disputes will be resolved.

Bonnie Glaser, a regional security expert at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies in Washington, said she believed China's more controversial proposals would prove unacceptable to several key ASEAN members, as well the United States and its allies.

"People I have spoken to in the US government say that it is the clearest evidence yet that China wants to push the US out of the region," she said.

Le Thi Thu Hang, a spokeswoman at the Vietnam Foreign Ministry, said negotiations on the Code of Conduct had made some progress recently.

Tough negotiations lie ahead over a new pact between China and Southeast Asian nations aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, as Vietnam pushes for provisions likely to prove unpalatable to Beijing, documents reviewed by Reuters suggest. Hanoi wants the pact to outlaw many of the actions China has carried out across the hotly disputed waterway in recent years, including artificial island building, blockades and offensive weaponry such as missile deployments, according to a negotiating draft of the ASEAN Code of Conduct (COC) seen by Reuters. The draft also shows Hanoi is pushing for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone - something Beijing unilaterally announced over the East China Sea in 2013. Chinese officials have not ruled out a similar move, in which all aircraft are supposed to identify themselves to Chinese authorities, over the South China Sea. Hanoi is also demanding states clarify their maritime claims in the vital trade route according to international law – an apparent attempt to shatter the controversial "nine-dash line" by which China claims and patrols much of the South China Sea, the draft shows. "Going forward, there will be some very testy exchanges between the Vietnamese and China in particular over the text of this agreement," said Singapore-based Ian Storey, a veteran South China Sea expert, who has seen the draft. "Vietnam is including those points or activities that they want forbidden by the Code of Conduct precisely because China has been carrying these out for the last 10 years." Le Thi Thu Hang, a spokeswoman at the Vietnam Foreign Ministry, said negotiations on the Code of Conduct had made some progress recently, with Vietnam actively participating and other countries showing "their constructive and cooperative spirit". "Vietnam wishes related countries to continue their efforts and make a positive contribution to the negotiation process in order to achieve a substantive and effective COC in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the East Sea (South China Sea) in particular and in the region in general," she said. Singapore’s Foreign Ministry, the chair of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc for 2018, did not respond to a request for comment. “We cannot comment right now but Thailand certainly supports discussion on the single negotiating draft,” said Busadee Santipitaks, a spokeswoman for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which takes over as ASEAN chair in the new year. China seeks ban on outsider drills The draft also confirms earlier reports that China wants military drills with outside powers in the South China Sea to be blocked unless all signatories agree. In addition, Beijing wants to exclude foreign oil firms by limiting joint development deals with China and South East Asia. Experts expect both elements to be strongly resisted by some ASEAN countries. "That is unacceptable," one Southeast Asian diplomat told Reuters, referring specifically to the suggested ban on military drills with countries outside the region. In a statement sent to Reuters, China's Foreign Ministry said negotiations on the code were confidential, and it could not comment on their content. The next round of working-level talks is expected to take place in Myanmar in the first quarter of next year, the Southeast Asian diplomat said. In August, Chinese and ASEAN officials hailed the initial negotiating text as a milestone and a breakthrough when it was endorsed by the foreign ministers of ASEAN and China. It will be negotiated over the coming year by senior ASEAN and Chinese officials and has not yet been released publicly. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last month called for the pact to be sealed by 2021, a timetable some envoys and analysts are sceptical can be reached. "There's a lot of tough work ahead - that figure seems to have just been plucked from the air," one senior Asian diplomat said. Dead letter? The code builds on an earlier declaration on the South China Sea signed between ASEAN and China in 2002. That document did not prevent the vital international trade route emerging as a regional flashpoint amid China's military rise and its extensive programme of island building on disputed reefs since 2014. The United States and other regional powers including Japan and India are not part of the negotiations, but take a strong interest in the waterway that links Northeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe. Several countries, including Japan, India, Britain and Australia, have joined the United States in gradually increasing naval deployments through the South China Sea. They are often shadowed by Chinese naval ships. Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam's military and diplomacy at Australia's Defence Force Academy, said Hanoi was expected to prove a tough negotiator but would need support among other ASEAN members to hold a firm line against China. The Philippines successfully challenged Beijing's South China Sea claims in an international arbitration case in 2016 but has reversed policy under President Rodrigo Duterte, who has avoided confronting China as he seeks to secure billions of dollars of loans and investments for his infrastructure programme. The 19-page draft remains vague in key areas including its precise geographic scope, whether it will be legally binding and how disputes will be resolved. Bonnie Glaser, a regional security expert at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies in Washington, said she believed China's more controversial proposals would prove unacceptable to several key ASEAN members, as well the United States and its allies. "People I have spoken to in the US government say that it is the clearest evidence yet that China wants to push the US out of the region," she said.

Tough South China Sea talks ahead as Vietnam seeks to curb China's actions

Anguished search for Vietnam's kidnapped brides sold in China

In a speech that China will be closely going through, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has called for respect for rule of law in the Indo-Pacific during his address to Vietnam's Parliament. He is the only second leader after China's Xi Jinping to address the Vietnamese parliament.

Speaking in the Parliament, he said, "Vietnam and India share a vision for the Indo-Pacific region, of which the South China Sea is a critical component. We share a vision of a rule-based order that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensures freedom of navigation and over-flight, as well as unimpeded commerce."

The South China Sea issue, which involves China and its neighbour, involves the demarcation of the sea but each has overlapping claims. In recent years, China is seen as aggressive in its approach regarding its claim.

The President of India further added, "our shared vision seeks peaceful resolution of disputes, with full respect to legal and diplomatic processes in accordance to the principles of the international law, including those reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "

The Philippines had dragged China to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding the territorial disputes in the&nbsp;South China Sea. The tribunal had favoured Manila but Bejing rejected the ruling.

President Kovind also highlighted India's consistent support for "ASEAN’s unity and centrality" and "ASEAN-led mechanisms for regional security and economic architecture – to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region".

This is the first time President Kovind has visited any ASEAN country. Earlier this year, India invited all 10 heads of ASEAN for its Republic Day. Bilateral trade between Hanoi and Delhi has touched $12.8 billion in the past year and India is one of Vietnam’s top 10 trading partners.

The President highlighted Indo-Pacific many times during his address saying "we are both ancient maritime nations and are stakeholders in the commerce, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region"

Both countries will participate in the first Bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue to be hosted by Vietnam in early 2019. There have been a number of high-level visits between India and Vietnam with both the Vietnamese Prime Minister and the President visiting New Delhi earlier this year.

In a speech that China will be closely going through, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has called for respect for rule of law in the Indo-Pacific during his address to Vietnam's Parliament.

In a speech that China will be closely going through, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has called for respect for rule of law in the Indo-Pacific during his address to Vietnam's Parliament. He is the only second leader after China's Xi Jinping to address the Vietnamese parliament. Speaking in the Parliament, he said, "Vietnam and India share a vision for the Indo-Pacific region, of which the South China Sea is a critical component. We share a vision of a rule-based order that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensures freedom of navigation and over-flight, as well as unimpeded commerce." The South China Sea issue, which involves China and its neighbour, involves the demarcation of the sea but each has overlapping claims. In recent years, China is seen as aggressive in its approach regarding its claim. The President of India further added, "our shared vision seeks peaceful resolution of disputes, with full respect to legal and diplomatic processes in accordance to the principles of the international law, including those reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. " The Philippines had dragged China to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The tribunal had favoured Manila but Bejing rejected the ruling. President Kovind also highlighted India's consistent support for "ASEAN’s unity and centrality" and "ASEAN-led mechanisms for regional security and economic architecture – to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region". This is the first time President Kovind has visited any ASEAN country. Earlier this year, India invited all 10 heads of ASEAN for its Republic Day. Bilateral trade between Hanoi and Delhi has touched $12.8 billion in the past year and India is one of Vietnam’s top 10 trading partners. The President highlighted Indo-Pacific many times during his address saying "we are both ancient maritime nations and are stakeholders in the commerce, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region" Both countries will participate in the first Bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue to be hosted by Vietnam in early 2019. There have been a number of high-level visits between India and Vietnam with both the Vietnamese Prime Minister and the President visiting New Delhi earlier this year.

In President Kovind's address to Vietnamese Parliament, a message for China

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam a short while ago on a three-day visit from November 18 to 21.

Kovind and the first lady Savita Kovind were welcomed upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport by Truong Quang Nghia, party secretary, Da Nang and Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang city, reported news agency ANI.

Kovind on Sunday embarked on a week-long visit to Vietnam and Australia, saying he was looking forward to a "busy and business-like" events.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted that it would be Kovind`s first visit to any country to India`s east as President.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Received a warm welcome on my arrival in Da Nang, Vietnam. This is my first visit to Southeast Asia as President of India. India and Vietnam share close and cordial relations. I look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties 🇮🇳🇻🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y5aDb6KS4O">pic.twitter.com/Y5aDb6KS4O</a>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1064097611374686208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Starting his trip from the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang, Kovind will head to the capital Hanoi where he will hold talks with the political leadership and also address the country`s National Assembly.&nbsp;

Heading to Australia on November 21, Kovind, the first Indian President to visit the country will meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison. They will together unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parramatta to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.&nbsp;

He will also address students at Melbourne University as part of the tour. 
&nbsp;

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam a short while ago on a three-day visit from November 18 to 21. Kovind and the first lady Savita Kovind were welcomed upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport by Truong Quang Nghia, party secretary, Da Nang and Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang city, reported news agency ANI.

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam a short while ago on a three-day visit from November 18 to 21. Kovind and the first lady Savita Kovind were welcomed upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport by Truong Quang Nghia, party secretary, Da Nang and Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang city, reported news agency ANI. Kovind on Sunday embarked on a week-long visit to Vietnam and Australia, saying he was looking forward to a "busy and business-like" events. The Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted that it would be Kovind`s first visit to any country to India`s east as President. Received a warm welcome on my arrival in Da Nang, Vietnam. This is my first visit to Southeast Asia as President of India. India and Vietnam share close and cordial relations. I look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties 🇮🇳🇻🇳 #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/Y5aDb6KS4O — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 18, 2018 × Starting his trip from the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang, Kovind will head to the capital Hanoi where he will hold talks with the political leadership and also address the country`s National Assembly. Heading to Australia on November 21, Kovind, the first Indian President to visit the country will meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison. They will together unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parramatta to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. He will also address students at Melbourne University as part of the tour.

President Ram Nath Kovind arrives in Vietnam on three-day visit

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will be going to Vietnam and Australia from November 18th to November 24th. Announcing the visit, secretary east Vijay Thakur Singh said, "the visit is part of India’s continuing and growing engagement with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region under its 'Act East'&nbsp;Policy."

This is the 7th state visit by President Kovind since taking over last year. This is also for the first time the president will be travelling&nbsp;to the east of India.

Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the President of India said this visit "will take him to the heart of Indo-pacific region" and "after this visit, he would have visited 16 countries and spanned the Indian ocean". President Kovind has been to Africa many times including his visits to Europe and South America.

The visit is happening when the focus is growing on the Indo Pacific region. During the recent 13th East Asia Summit, PM Modi, along with the US, had focused on the Indo Pacific with ASEAN centrality.

The second meet of Quad grouping -- US, Japan, Australia and India-- this year, which took place in 15th November, had a special emphasis on it with the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement saying, "participants reaffirmed the ASEAN centrality as the cornerstone of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific."&nbsp;The MEA futher added, "they agreed to partner with other countries and forums in the region to promote free, open, rules-based and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific that fosters trust and confidence."

Vietnam visit from 18-20 November

On the first leg of his two-nation tour, the President will visit Vietnam from 18-20 November. This is the first visit by the Indian president to any ASEAN country. President Kovind will address the national assembly of Vietnam. Chinese President Xi Jinping is the only foreign leader who has addressed the Vietnamese national assembly until now.

India and Vietnam have a comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam was the country coordinator for India ASEAN and under the country, all 10 heads of ASEAN countries participated in the Republic Day parade.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Vietnam's envoy to Delhi Pham Sanh Chau said, "Vietnam wants to treat the Indian president as a special guest in order to express our sincere gratitude to Indian leaders and friends for their support to our country during the national struggle, national independence and reunification."

India also has robust defence ties with Vietnam with reports suggesting Hanoi might be in talks with Delhi to get BrahMos missiles.

Australia visit from 21-24 November&nbsp;

On the second leg of his visit, President Kovind will pay a state visit to Australia from 21-24 November 2018. He will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne. This would be the first ever visit of the President of India to Australia.

Canberra has supported India's entry into the Wassenaar arrangement, Australia Group and Missile Technology Control Regime. The country supports India's bid for nuclear suppliers group. Bilateral trade between India and Australia stands at $19.7 billion and the country hosts a large Indian diaspora.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will be going to Vietnam and Australia from November 18th to November 24th. Announcing the visit, secretary east Vijay Thakur Singh said, "the visit is part of India’s continuing and growing engagement with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region under its 'Act East' Policy.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will be going to Vietnam and Australia from November 18th to November 24th. Announcing the visit, secretary east Vijay Thakur Singh said, "the visit is part of India’s continuing and growing engagement with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region under its 'Act East' Policy." This is the 7th state visit by President Kovind since taking over last year. This is also for the first time the president will be travelling to the east of India. Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the President of India said this visit "will take him to the heart of Indo-pacific region" and "after this visit, he would have visited 16 countries and spanned the Indian ocean". President Kovind has been to Africa many times including his visits to Europe and South America. The visit is happening when the focus is growing on the Indo Pacific region. During the recent 13th East Asia Summit, PM Modi, along with the US, had focused on the Indo Pacific with ASEAN centrality. The second meet of Quad grouping -- US, Japan, Australia and India-- this year, which took place in 15th November, had a special emphasis on it with the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement saying, "participants reaffirmed the ASEAN centrality as the cornerstone of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific." The MEA futher added, "they agreed to partner with other countries and forums in the region to promote free, open, rules-based and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific that fosters trust and confidence." Vietnam visit from 18-20 November On the first leg of his two-nation tour, the President will visit Vietnam from 18-20 November. This is the first visit by the Indian president to any ASEAN country. President Kovind will address the national assembly of Vietnam. Chinese President Xi Jinping is the only foreign leader who has addressed the Vietnamese national assembly until now. India and Vietnam have a comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam was the country coordinator for India ASEAN and under the country, all 10 heads of ASEAN countries participated in the Republic Day parade. Speaking to WION, Vietnam's envoy to Delhi Pham Sanh Chau said, "Vietnam wants to treat the Indian president as a special guest in order to express our sincere gratitude to Indian leaders and friends for their support to our country during the national struggle, national independence and reunification." India also has robust defence ties with Vietnam with reports suggesting Hanoi might be in talks with Delhi to get BrahMos missiles. Australia visit from 21-24 November On the second leg of his visit, President Kovind will pay a state visit to Australia from 21-24 November 2018. He will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne. This would be the first ever visit of the President of India to Australia. Canberra has supported India's entry into the Wassenaar arrangement, Australia Group and Missile Technology Control Regime. The country supports India's bid for nuclear suppliers group. Bilateral trade between India and Australia stands at $19.7 billion and the country hosts a large Indian diaspora.

President Kovind to visit Vietnam, Australia; MEA says focus on growing engagement in Indo-Pacific region

Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check.

Trong was ushered into his new role as head-of-state with 99.8 percent of the vote from Vietnam's rubber stamp parliament members a month after the former president died from a prolonged illness.

Though the president's role is seen as largely ceremonial, 74-year-old Trong will maintain his position as party head -- the first person to hold both roles since revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s.

His new position was cemented in a tightly orchestrated swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday after an overwhelming vote from 477 lawmakers, with only one vote against, according to the government's website.

"I, president of Vietnam vow to be completely loyal to the nation, people and constitution," Trong said at the ceremony, speaking beneath a large bust of Ho Chi Minh.

"This is a very huge honour, while at the same time, a very heavy responsibility for me," he added, acknowledging his advanced age.

His election comes as no surprise after the Communist Party's Central Committee put his name forward as the only contender last month following the death of Tran Dai Quang.

His dual role in two of the so-called "four-pillar" top leadership positions allows Trong to yield a huge amount of power in the government whose inner workings are often shielded from the public.

The two other "pillars" are the prime minister and National Assembly chair.

Analysts say Trong is likely to forge ahead with an anti-corruption campaign that he has spearheaded since his re-election as party chief in 2016, which has seen dozens of top officials, executives and bankers put behind bars.

His time in office has also coincided with a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 55 jailed this year alone, according to an AFP tally, that rights groups say shows no sign of abating under Trong.

The US ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Trong on the post-Tuesday, celebrating cosying ties between the former war foes who are both seeking to counter China's rising military and economic might.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with President Trong on further strengthening and expanding the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership," ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said in a statement.

In addition to running the powerful Communist Party, Trong will now be in charge of welcoming foreign delegates and travelling abroad as the public face of the administration.&nbsp;

The white-haired longtime party member has a carefully guarded reputation as a committed apparatchik, and is also a member of the powerful politburo in the one-party state.&nbsp;

Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check.

Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check. Trong was ushered into his new role as head-of-state with 99.8 percent of the vote from Vietnam's rubber stamp parliament members a month after the former president died from a prolonged illness. Though the president's role is seen as largely ceremonial, 74-year-old Trong will maintain his position as party head -- the first person to hold both roles since revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s. His new position was cemented in a tightly orchestrated swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday after an overwhelming vote from 477 lawmakers, with only one vote against, according to the government's website. "I, president of Vietnam vow to be completely loyal to the nation, people and constitution," Trong said at the ceremony, speaking beneath a large bust of Ho Chi Minh. "This is a very huge honour, while at the same time, a very heavy responsibility for me," he added, acknowledging his advanced age. His election comes as no surprise after the Communist Party's Central Committee put his name forward as the only contender last month following the death of Tran Dai Quang. His dual role in two of the so-called "four-pillar" top leadership positions allows Trong to yield a huge amount of power in the government whose inner workings are often shielded from the public. The two other "pillars" are the prime minister and National Assembly chair. Analysts say Trong is likely to forge ahead with an anti-corruption campaign that he has spearheaded since his re-election as party chief in 2016, which has seen dozens of top officials, executives and bankers put behind bars. His time in office has also coincided with a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 55 jailed this year alone, according to an AFP tally, that rights groups say shows no sign of abating under Trong. The US ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Trong on the post-Tuesday, celebrating cosying ties between the former war foes who are both seeking to counter China's rising military and economic might. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with President Trong on further strengthening and expanding the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership," ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said in a statement. In addition to running the powerful Communist Party, Trong will now be in charge of welcoming foreign delegates and travelling abroad as the public face of the administration. The white-haired longtime party member has a carefully guarded reputation as a committed apparatchik, and is also a member of the powerful politburo in the one-party state.

Nguyen Phu Trong sworn in as new Vietnam president after he wins 99.8% of vote

Mai Khoi, a dissident musician dubbed Vietnam's Lady Gaga, has appealed to Facebook's directors to safeguard freedom of expression as the government looks to bolster its control of the web.

With 53 million users, Facebook is extremely popular in Vietnam -- where the internet has become a battleground for activists like Khoi.

A controversial cybersecurity bill, due to come into effect in January, will require internet companies to remove "toxic" content and hand over user data if asked by the communist government to do so.&nbsp;

It also requires firms to host servers in-country, which has sparked fears of further government meddling.

"Protecting freedom of expression should be an official policy of Facebook, but sadly, it's not," Khoi told AFP during an interview at the city's airport.&nbsp;

"Facebook is the only space in Vietnam where we can talk freely, express our mind freely and we can access uncensored information, and sometimes organize the peaceful protests. That's why the government is scared. So now they try to control Facebook," she said.

"The crackdown is very heavy."

Banned from selling her CDs and organising concerts, Khoi performs secret gigs away from the watchful eyes of police -- and is now afraid of becoming an online target.

Facebook and Google have so far declined to comment on Vietnam's impending cybersecurity law, though rights groups have slammed the bill.

Khoi said during Friday's meeting with Facebook, she urged the company to prevent government supporters abusing the network's community standards to silence dissidents.

"Facebook said they already worked on this. But in reality, in Vietnam, many independent journalists and activists have their accounts locked and the post deleted every day," she added.

Placed under informal house arrest in late 2017 after she brandished an anti-Donald Trump sign when the US president visited last year, Khoi was also banned from running in parliamentary elections a year earlier.

"I think Facebook should do the right thing to show what they do is protecting freedom of expression," Khoi said.

Mai Khoi, a dissident musician dubbed Vietnam's Lady Gaga, has appealed to Facebook's directors to safeguard freedom of expression as the government looks to bolster its control of the web.

Mai Khoi, a dissident musician dubbed Vietnam's Lady Gaga, has appealed to Facebook's directors to safeguard freedom of expression as the government looks to bolster its control of the web. With 53 million users, Facebook is extremely popular in Vietnam -- where the internet has become a battleground for activists like Khoi. A controversial cybersecurity bill, due to come into effect in January, will require internet companies to remove "toxic" content and hand over user data if asked by the communist government to do so. It also requires firms to host servers in-country, which has sparked fears of further government meddling. "Protecting freedom of expression should be an official policy of Facebook, but sadly, it's not," Khoi told AFP during an interview at the city's airport. "Facebook is the only space in Vietnam where we can talk freely, express our mind freely and we can access uncensored information, and sometimes organize the peaceful protests. That's why the government is scared. So now they try to control Facebook," she said. "The crackdown is very heavy." Banned from selling her CDs and organising concerts, Khoi performs secret gigs away from the watchful eyes of police -- and is now afraid of becoming an online target. Facebook and Google have so far declined to comment on Vietnam's impending cybersecurity law, though rights groups have slammed the bill. Khoi said during Friday's meeting with Facebook, she urged the company to prevent government supporters abusing the network's community standards to silence dissidents. "Facebook said they already worked on this. But in reality, in Vietnam, many independent journalists and activists have their accounts locked and the post deleted every day," she added. Placed under informal house arrest in late 2017 after she brandished an anti-Donald Trump sign when the US president visited last year, Khoi was also banned from running in parliamentary elections a year earlier. "I think Facebook should do the right thing to show what they do is protecting freedom of expression," Khoi said.

Vietnam dissident Khoi urges Facebook to protect freedom of expression

Vietnamese police have broken up an online gambling ring worth almost $26 million and arrested 10 people along with confiscating guns and cash, officials said Tuesday, the latest big bust in a country where illicit betting flourishes despite tough laws.

The ringleaders ran several websites for sports betting and other forms of gambling which had attracted hundreds of online punters since July, according to a local police source and state media.&nbsp;

The network spanned several provinces in central and southern Vietnam and was headed by a 37-year-old identified as Huynh Quoc Viet.&nbsp;

"We arrested seven people and three others turned themselves in. The investigation is still ongoing to see if anyone else is involved," the police source told AFP Tuesday from the central province of Quang Nam.&nbsp;

Several houses were raided across multiple cities and police confiscated two rifles, $20,000 in cash and several cars and mobile phones, according to the Quang Nam provincial police's official website.

The suspects also illegally offered high-interest loans and could be hired to collect debts using force, according to state media.&nbsp;

Most gambling is illegal in Vietnam, a one-party state where running online betting rings carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and only foreigners are legally allowed to bet at local casinos.

But the communist government said last year it would ease restrictions on sports betting and allow some Vietnamese to gamble in casinos on a pilot basis, though the new rules have yet to come into effect.&nbsp;

Major firms, both foreign and local, are eager to break into the potentially lucrative market in a country of 93 million where underground betting is widespread -- even among officials.&nbsp;

Police are now investigating a massive illegal betting ring worth $422 million in the country's biggest-ever gambling bust involving more than 100 people, including current and former officials.&nbsp;

The online betting ring was allegedly run by the very officials tasked with policing online gambling at the Ministry of Public Security.&nbsp;

Vietnamese police have broken up an online gambling ring worth almost $26 million and arrested 10 people along with confiscating guns and cash, officials said Tuesday, the latest big bust in a country where illicit betting flourishes despite tough laws.

Vietnamese police have broken up an online gambling ring worth almost $26 million and arrested 10 people along with confiscating guns and cash, officials said Tuesday, the latest big bust in a country where illicit betting flourishes despite tough laws. The ringleaders ran several websites for sports betting and other forms of gambling which had attracted hundreds of online punters since July, according to a local police source and state media. The network spanned several provinces in central and southern Vietnam and was headed by a 37-year-old identified as Huynh Quoc Viet. "We arrested seven people and three others turned themselves in. The investigation is still ongoing to see if anyone else is involved," the police source told AFP Tuesday from the central province of Quang Nam. Several houses were raided across multiple cities and police confiscated two rifles, $20,000 in cash and several cars and mobile phones, according to the Quang Nam provincial police's official website. The suspects also illegally offered high-interest loans and could be hired to collect debts using force, according to state media. Most gambling is illegal in Vietnam, a one-party state where running online betting rings carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and only foreigners are legally allowed to bet at local casinos. But the communist government said last year it would ease restrictions on sports betting and allow some Vietnamese to gamble in casinos on a pilot basis, though the new rules have yet to come into effect. Major firms, both foreign and local, are eager to break into the potentially lucrative market in a country of 93 million where underground betting is widespread -- even among officials. Police are now investigating a massive illegal betting ring worth $422 million in the country's biggest-ever gambling bust involving more than 100 people, including current and former officials. The online betting ring was allegedly run by the very officials tasked with policing online gambling at the Ministry of Public Security.

Vietnam police bust $26 million online gambling ring; 10 arrested

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang died on Friday at the age of 61 after a serious illness, state media reported.

"President Tran Dai died at 10:05 am on the 21st of September at the military hospital," the official Vietnam News Agency reported Friday.

Vietnam has no paramount ruler and is officially led by the president, prime minister and Communist Party chief. Experts say the presidency is largely ceremonial.

Quang was appointed to the role in April, 2016. Before that, he had served as Minister of Public Security, an organisation with broad powers and a remit that includes intelligence gathering and thwarting domestic and foreign threats to the party.

Originally from a small farming community 115 km (70 miles) south of Hanoi, Quang rose through party ranks to become a police general and member of Vietnam's powerful decision-making Politburo.

"We are saddened to hear the news that the president has died," said Bui Duc Phi, chairman of the village in which Quang was born.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang died on Friday at the age of 61 after a serious illness, state media reported. "President Tran Dai died at 10:05 am on the 21st of September at the military hospital," the official Vietnam News Agency reported Friday.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang died on Friday at the age of 61 after a serious illness, state media reported. "President Tran Dai died at 10:05 am on the 21st of September at the military hospital," the official Vietnam News Agency reported Friday. Vietnam has no paramount ruler and is officially led by the president, prime minister and Communist Party chief. Experts say the presidency is largely ceremonial. Quang was appointed to the role in April, 2016. Before that, he had served as Minister of Public Security, an organisation with broad powers and a remit that includes intelligence gathering and thwarting domestic and foreign threats to the party. Originally from a small farming community 115 km (70 miles) south of Hanoi, Quang rose through party ranks to become a police general and member of Vietnam's powerful decision-making Politburo. "We are saddened to hear the news that the president has died," said Bui Duc Phi, chairman of the village in which Quang was born.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang dead at 61: State media

Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang, a former police chief known as a tough politician and committed communist with little tolerance for dissent, died Friday at age 61 after a serious illness, state media reported.

His death is not likely to dramatically alter politics in a country where the powerful communist government oversees almost every facet of society -- although the death of a sitting leader is rare.&nbsp;

Coverage on state media was sombre Friday, with a Vietnam Television anchor in dark clothing announcing the news of the leader's death, first reported by the official Vietnam News Agency.

A member of Quang's staff confirmed his death to AFP.

The president had sought treatment in Japan for over a year before he was checked into hospital on Thursday afternoon after contracting a "rare virus", Nguyen Quoc Trieu, in charge of the healthcare committee for top leaders, said in state media.&nbsp;

In office as president since April 2016 after more than four decades at the powerful Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Quang had a reputation as a hardliner.

Though he held one of the country's top four positions and was officially the head of state, his role was seen as largely ceremonial, greeting visiting leaders and hosting diplomatic events in a bid to boost Vietnam's profile on the world stage.

Quang, also a politburo member, had appeared thin and pale in public in recent months and was unstable on his feet last week when he hosted a welcoming ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Hanoi.

His last public appearance was just two days ago at a meeting with visiting Chinese politicians and foreign dignitaries.

Public profile

His death is not likely to shake up politics in the one-party state, which prides itself on stable, consensus-based leadership and where the dramas that are rumoured to play out in the corridors of power are rarely aired publicly.&nbsp;

"It will not lead to any ruffles in leadership or any tensions," Vietnam expert Carl Thayer told AFP Friday.&nbsp;

Born October 12, 1956 in northern Ninh Binh province, Quang joined the police academy as a young man and went on to study at the College of Foreign Language in Hanoi. He has been a communist party member since 1980.

He joined the security ministry in 1975 and steadily climbed the ranks of the shadowy yet powerful institution, which heads up the country's secret police and intelligence.

Despite his reputation as an influential politician, Quang often appeared uncomfortable in the public eye and lacked the charisma of his peers in the party's upper echelons.

In an interview with AFP in 2016, Quang read from a prepared statement and was quickly escorted out by staff when questions went off-script.

Dissident crackdown

His time in office was underpinned by a simmering conflict with Beijing over the South China Sea, a long-running dispute between the communist neighbours that escalated on several occasions during his presidency.

But Beijing paid tribute to Quang Friday, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang calling him "an outstanding leader... (who) made important contributions to the national development of reform and opening up in Vietnam".

Quang also threw his weight behind an anti-corruption campaign that critics said was designed to eliminate political foes.

But his primary role was as the administration's public face at high-profile events, notably at an APEC meeting in Danang in November last year where he hosted a bevy of world leaders -- including US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

Some paid respects to Quang online Friday, but emotional outpourings were largely absent.

"People don't care that much because they're more focused on making ends meet... and they've lost trust in this regime," the head of Vietnam's independent journalist association Pham Chi Dung told AFP.&nbsp;

As president, Quang also oversaw a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 40 jailed this year alone.

It earned him a bruised reputation that is likely to resonate among critics outside Vietnam.

"He was basically at the top of the apparatus of repression that silences voices," Andrea Giorgetta of the International Federation for Human Rights told AFP.&nbsp;

Quang is survived by his wife and two sons.&nbsp;

There was no immediate announcement about when his funeral will take place, though the government is certain to host a state service for him.&nbsp;

Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang, a former police chief known as a tough politician and committed communist with little tolerance for dissent, died Friday at age 61 after a serious illness, state media reported.

Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang, a former police chief known as a tough politician and committed communist with little tolerance for dissent, died Friday at age 61 after a serious illness, state media reported. His death is not likely to dramatically alter politics in a country where the powerful communist government oversees almost every facet of society -- although the death of a sitting leader is rare. Coverage on state media was sombre Friday, with a Vietnam Television anchor in dark clothing announcing the news of the leader's death, first reported by the official Vietnam News Agency. A member of Quang's staff confirmed his death to AFP. The president had sought treatment in Japan for over a year before he was checked into hospital on Thursday afternoon after contracting a "rare virus", Nguyen Quoc Trieu, in charge of the healthcare committee for top leaders, said in state media. In office as president since April 2016 after more than four decades at the powerful Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Quang had a reputation as a hardliner. Though he held one of the country's top four positions and was officially the head of state, his role was seen as largely ceremonial, greeting visiting leaders and hosting diplomatic events in a bid to boost Vietnam's profile on the world stage. Quang, also a politburo member, had appeared thin and pale in public in recent months and was unstable on his feet last week when he hosted a welcoming ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Hanoi. His last public appearance was just two days ago at a meeting with visiting Chinese politicians and foreign dignitaries. Public profile His death is not likely to shake up politics in the one-party state, which prides itself on stable, consensus-based leadership and where the dramas that are rumoured to play out in the corridors of power are rarely aired publicly. "It will not lead to any ruffles in leadership or any tensions," Vietnam expert Carl Thayer told AFP Friday. Born October 12, 1956 in northern Ninh Binh province, Quang joined the police academy as a young man and went on to study at the College of Foreign Language in Hanoi. He has been a communist party member since 1980. He joined the security ministry in 1975 and steadily climbed the ranks of the shadowy yet powerful institution, which heads up the country's secret police and intelligence. Despite his reputation as an influential politician, Quang often appeared uncomfortable in the public eye and lacked the charisma of his peers in the party's upper echelons. In an interview with AFP in 2016, Quang read from a prepared statement and was quickly escorted out by staff when questions went off-script. Dissident crackdown His time in office was underpinned by a simmering conflict with Beijing over the South China Sea, a long-running dispute between the communist neighbours that escalated on several occasions during his presidency. But Beijing paid tribute to Quang Friday, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang calling him "an outstanding leader... (who) made important contributions to the national development of reform and opening up in Vietnam". Quang also threw his weight behind an anti-corruption campaign that critics said was designed to eliminate political foes. But his primary role was as the administration's public face at high-profile events, notably at an APEC meeting in Danang in November last year where he hosted a bevy of world leaders -- including US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Some paid respects to Quang online Friday, but emotional outpourings were largely absent. "People don't care that much because they're more focused on making ends meet... and they've lost trust in this regime," the head of Vietnam's independent journalist association Pham Chi Dung told AFP. As president, Quang also oversaw a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 40 jailed this year alone. It earned him a bruised reputation that is likely to resonate among critics outside Vietnam. "He was basically at the top of the apparatus of repression that silences voices," Andrea Giorgetta of the International Federation for Human Rights told AFP. Quang is survived by his wife and two sons. There was no immediate announcement about when his funeral will take place, though the government is certain to host a state service for him.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang dies at 61 after serious illness

Vietnam has vowed to tighten regulations on cryptocurrencies as authorities investigate an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud in the country, where digital units are traded in a shadowy and unregulated market.&nbsp

Paying with cryptocurrencies is illegal in Vietnam, where they are not recognised as a legitimate tender by the central bank. However, there are currently no laws explicitly banning the possession of assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

A directive signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday called for new rules to "strengthen the management of activities related to cryptocurrencies".

It comes after a Vietnam company, Modern Tech Jsc, was accused of scamming $660 million from tens of thousands of people who bought iFan and Pincoin cryptocurrencies, according to state media.&nbsp

The Ho Chi Minh City-based company promised to repay clients monthly interest -- and more if they could attract other customers -- but has been slow to pay them back as the value of iFan and Pincoin slumps, VNExpress reported.&nbsp

City authorities have asked police to investigate.

Investing and trading the currencies is "increasingly complicated and threatens to affect the stability of the market, social order... (and) can pose great risks to organisations and individuals involved", the new directive said.

It warned financial institutions against accepting the currencies and said authorities would "detect and handle" those dealing in the illegal currency.&nbsp

A cryptocurrency investor in Vietnam said he may consider moving business elsewhere after the announcement.&nbsp

"Since the government wants to tighten regulations on cryptocurrency, I may not invest in cryptocurrency in Vietnam, maybe... in other countries," he told AFP, asking not to be named.&nbsp

Vietnam said last year it would consider developing a legal framework to manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets as they increase in popularity in the country.&nbspBitcoin and other cryptocurrencies operate independent of governments and banks.&nbsp

Exchanges in the currencies, which use blockchain technology, have seen tremendous volatility and sparked concerns they can be used to launder money for criminal networks.

A cryptocurrency investor in Vietnam said he may consider moving business elsewhere after the announcement.

Vietnam has vowed to tighten regulations on cryptocurrencies as authorities investigate an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud in the country, where digital units are traded in a shadowy and unregulated market. Paying with cryptocurrencies is illegal in Vietnam, where they are not recognised as a legitimate tender by the central bank. However, there are currently no laws explicitly banning the possession of assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. A directive signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday called for new rules to "strengthen the management of activities related to cryptocurrencies". It comes after a Vietnam company, Modern Tech Jsc, was accused of scamming $660 million from tens of thousands of people who bought iFan and Pincoin cryptocurrencies, according to state media. The Ho Chi Minh City-based company promised to repay clients monthly interest -- and more if they could attract other customers -- but has been slow to pay them back as the value of iFan and Pincoin slumps, VNExpress reported. City authorities have asked police to investigate. Investing and trading the currencies is "increasingly complicated and threatens to affect the stability of the market, social order... (and) can pose great risks to organisations and individuals involved", the new directive said. It warned financial institutions against accepting the currencies and said authorities would "detect and handle" those dealing in the illegal currency. A cryptocurrency investor in Vietnam said he may consider moving business elsewhere after the announcement. "Since the government wants to tighten regulations on cryptocurrency, I may not invest in cryptocurrency in Vietnam, maybe... in other countries," he told AFP, asking not to be named. Vietnam said last year it would consider developing a legal framework to manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets as they increase in popularity in the country.&nbspBitcoin and other cryptocurrencies operate independent of governments and banks. Exchanges in the currencies, which use blockchain technology, have seen tremendous volatility and sparked concerns they can be used to launder money for criminal networks.

Vietnam to strengthen cryptocurrency regulation: PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc

By Seb Rumsby*

Plans to open joint border checkpoints between China and Vietnam in May 2018 belie unresolved tensions in relations between the two countries. Despite scrapping a marine oil-drilling project in a disputed area following Chinese "threats", Hanoi maintains its claim to what it calls the "East Sea" - or what the Chinese call the South China Sea. The dispute has led to anti-Chinese sentiment in major Vietnamese cities.

Far away from urban areas, Vietnamese citizens living in the northern borderlands are intimately connected to China. Almost the entire length of the 1,280km-long Sino-Vietnamese border is at least 500 metres above sea level, with some areas reaching 2000 metres high. These highlands are home to a number of minority groups with their own unique histories and cultures who are neither ethnic Han (Chinese) nor Kinh (Vietnamese), but live on both sides of the border.

A significant group who live in these border regions are the Hmong. There are two million Hmong in China, a million in Vietnam and up to a million more spread across Laos, Thailand and in diaspora communities in the US. Today, their shared transnational identity is based on speaking mutually intelligible dialects of the Hmong language, as well as sharing the same clan surnames.

Traditionally, the Hmong have practised shifting cultivation - also known as "slash and burn" - and were highly mobile. In the 1960s, Hmong from China migrated to Vietnam during the extreme hardships of the cultural revolution. But since the 1990s, when living conditions in China began to improve, more Hmong have been moving back.

Chinese invasion and Christian conversion

In 1979, 80,000 Chinese troops crossed the border intending to "teach Vietnam a lesson" for invading Cambodia and toppling the Chinese-backed Khmer Rouge. The war lasted just six weeks but both sides suffered high casualties as combat raged through the highlands.

Most Hmong fled from the fighting up into the forests and mountains, but soon afterwards communities were forcibly relocated away from borderland regions, in the unabashedly-named "Move (the Hmong) down the Mountains" programme. In some areas, only those with a Chinese-sounding surname were forced to migrate downhill, while those with Vietnamese surnames were allowed to stay.

These policies were rooted in government mistrust of Hmong transnational networks and migration, compounding a fear that their loyalties may not be with the Vietnamese state. Unfortunately, many Hmong families who were settled in lowland areas after 1979 with little fertile land or forest suffered from malnutrition and new diseases which they had not developed resistance to.

Since the late 1980s, hundreds of thousands of Hmong in Vietnam have been converting to Protestant Christianity - a complex and remarkable phenomenon which is having a profound impact on Hmong society and ethnic politics. Researchers estimate that around a third of Hmong in Vietnam are now Christians, although this trend is not as prominent among Hmong in China or elsewhere.

Vietnamese authorities have always been extremely suspicious of Christianity, branding it a Western religion associated with their former colonial (French) and imperialist (American) invaders. Government papers and news reports routinely accuse hostile "external forces" of inciting "elements of defection" through Hmong conversion to "create internal instability" among the highlands. As such, local officials have been guilty of brutal religious persecution ranging from beatings and imprisonment to confiscation of property and land, in the name of "encouraging" Hmong believers to give up their new faith.

Nevertheless, Hmong Christians have been growing in numbers and strength. In the 1990s, church leaders crossed the border into China in order to attend Bible schools, since they were not allowed to study theology in Vietnam at the time. Later on, Hmong missionaries from the American diaspora would enter Vietnam via the Chinese border, illegally smuggling in Hmong-language Bibles and preaching at church groups.

Signs of more cooperation

While I was conducting fieldwork in Vietnam's northern highlands in mid-2014, the latest round of South China Sea conflict erupted as a Chinese oil rig was moved into contested waters. There were ominous reports about an "endless stream" of Chinese troops massing near Vietnam’s borders, as border crossings closed.

In a district of Lao Cai province, Hmong church leaders were summoned to local government headquarters, perhaps expecting a stern warning against proselytising or even detainment. Surprisingly, however, local officials asked pastors to support the national cause by relaying information to their congregations about evacuation procedures (should China invade) and dissuading anyone from crossing the border. Apparently, they were even encouraged by the socialist authorities to pray for the welfare of Vietnam.

The church groups agreed to cooperate and prayed continuously for peace over three days. When China later withdrew the oil rig and tensions deescalated in July, some Christians attributed it to divine intervention, claiming that God had sent Typhoon Rammasun to force China to back down and move out of the disputed territory.

One unexpected consequence of the 2014 dispute was to bring some Hmong churches and Vietnamese local authorities into closer cooperation, although religious discrimination still persists in other border provinces.

In the past five years, more and more Vietnamese Hmong have been seasonally migrating to China for higher-paid work, but often end up exploited or trafficked into forced marriage. They may continue to be viewed with suspicion by the Vietnamese government for their cross-border networks and apparent lack of patriotism, but most Hmong I interviewed have no preference for Chinese subjugation either.

*(Sam Rumsby is a PhD candidate in politics and international studies, University of Warwick )

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In 1979, 80,000 Chinese troops crossed the border intending to "teach Vietnam a lesson" for invading Cambodia and toppling the Chinese-backed Khmer Rouge.

By Seb Rumsby* Plans to open joint border checkpoints between China and Vietnam in May 2018 belie unresolved tensions in relations between the two countries. Despite scrapping a marine oil-drilling project in a disputed area following Chinese "threats", Hanoi maintains its claim to what it calls the "East Sea" - or what the Chinese call the South China Sea. The dispute has led to anti-Chinese sentiment in major Vietnamese cities. Far away from urban areas, Vietnamese citizens living in the northern borderlands are intimately connected to China. Almost the entire length of the 1,280km-long Sino-Vietnamese border is at least 500 metres above sea level, with some areas reaching 2000 metres high. These highlands are home to a number of minority groups with their own unique histories and cultures who are neither ethnic Han (Chinese) nor Kinh (Vietnamese), but live on both sides of the border. A significant group who live in these border regions are the Hmong. There are two million Hmong in China, a million in Vietnam and up to a million more spread across Laos, Thailand and in diaspora communities in the US. Today, their shared transnational identity is based on speaking mutually intelligible dialects of the Hmong language, as well as sharing the same clan surnames. Traditionally, the Hmong have practised shifting cultivation - also known as "slash and burn" - and were highly mobile. In the 1960s, Hmong from China migrated to Vietnam during the extreme hardships of the cultural revolution. But since the 1990s, when living conditions in China began to improve, more Hmong have been moving back. Chinese invasion and Christian conversion In 1979, 80,000 Chinese troops crossed the border intending to "teach Vietnam a lesson" for invading Cambodia and toppling the Chinese-backed Khmer Rouge. The war lasted just six weeks but both sides suffered high casualties as combat raged through the highlands. Most Hmong fled from the fighting up into the forests and mountains, but soon afterwards communities were forcibly relocated away from borderland regions, in the unabashedly-named "Move (the Hmong) down the Mountains" programme. In some areas, only those with a Chinese-sounding surname were forced to migrate downhill, while those with Vietnamese surnames were allowed to stay. These policies were rooted in government mistrust of Hmong transnational networks and migration, compounding a fear that their loyalties may not be with the Vietnamese state. Unfortunately, many Hmong families who were settled in lowland areas after 1979 with little fertile land or forest suffered from malnutrition and new diseases which they had not developed resistance to. Since the late 1980s, hundreds of thousands of Hmong in Vietnam have been converting to Protestant Christianity - a complex and remarkable phenomenon which is having a profound impact on Hmong society and ethnic politics. Researchers estimate that around a third of Hmong in Vietnam are now Christians, although this trend is not as prominent among Hmong in China or elsewhere. Vietnamese authorities have always been extremely suspicious of Christianity, branding it a Western religion associated with their former colonial (French) and imperialist (American) invaders. Government papers and news reports routinely accuse hostile "external forces" of inciting "elements of defection" through Hmong conversion to "create internal instability" among the highlands. As such, local officials have been guilty of brutal religious persecution ranging from beatings and imprisonment to confiscation of property and land, in the name of "encouraging" Hmong believers to give up their new faith. Nevertheless, Hmong Christians have been growing in numbers and strength. In the 1990s, church leaders crossed the border into China in order to attend Bible schools, since they were not allowed to study theology in Vietnam at the time. Later on, Hmong missionaries from the American diaspora would enter Vietnam via the Chinese border, illegally smuggling in Hmong-language Bibles and preaching at church groups. Signs of more cooperation While I was conducting fieldwork in Vietnam's northern highlands in mid-2014, the latest round of South China Sea conflict erupted as a Chinese oil rig was moved into contested waters. There were ominous reports about an "endless stream" of Chinese troops massing near Vietnam’s borders, as border crossings closed. In a district of Lao Cai province, Hmong church leaders were summoned to local government headquarters, perhaps expecting a stern warning against proselytising or even detainment. Surprisingly, however, local officials asked pastors to support the national cause by relaying information to their congregations about evacuation procedures (should China invade) and dissuading anyone from crossing the border. Apparently, they were even encouraged by the socialist authorities to pray for the welfare of Vietnam. The church groups agreed to cooperate and prayed continuously for peace over three days. When China later withdrew the oil rig and tensions deescalated in July, some Christians attributed it to divine intervention, claiming that God had sent Typhoon Rammasun to force China to back down and move out of the disputed territory. One unexpected consequence of the 2014 dispute was to bring some Hmong churches and Vietnamese local authorities into closer cooperation, although religious discrimination still persists in other border provinces. In the past five years, more and more Vietnamese Hmong have been seasonally migrating to China for higher-paid work, but often end up exploited or trafficked into forced marriage. They may continue to be viewed with suspicion by the Vietnamese government for their cross-border networks and apparent lack of patriotism, but most Hmong I interviewed have no preference for Chinese subjugation either. *(Sam Rumsby is a PhD candidate in politics and international studies, University of Warwick ) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How Hmong Christians navigate the border tensions between China and Vietnam

India's mobile phone users have been increasing by the day, various reports suggest the same and now, another study points at the fact that the Indian mobile manufacturing industry is leaving no stone unturned to meet the ever-expanding demand.

India stands second in the world in mobile phone production after China.&nbsp;

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According to a report by the Indian Cellular Association, India replaced Vietnam to become the second largest producer of mobile phones in 2017.&nbsp;

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Data available from market research firm IHS, China's National Bureau of Statistics and Vietnam General Statistics Office was studied&nbsp;to conclude that the annual production of mobile phones in India increased from 3 million units in 2014 to 11 million units in 2017.&nbsp;

With a boost in mobile production, smartphone imports dropped by less than half in 2017.&nbsp;

"We are happy to inform you that with the strenuous and calibrated efforts of the government of India, ICA and FTTF, India has now emerged as the second largest producer of mobile handsets by volume," ICA National President Pankaj Mohindroo said in a letter addressed to union ministers on March 28&nbsp;

India has now set a target to achieve around 500 million mobile phone production by 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

With a boost in mobile production, imports of the devices registered a drop of less than half in 2017

India's mobile phone users have been increasing by the day, various reports suggest the same and now, another study points at the fact that the Indian mobile manufacturing industry is leaving no stone unturned to meet the ever-expanding demand. India stands second in the world in mobile phone production after China. × According to a report by the Indian Cellular Association, India replaced Vietnam to become the second largest producer of mobile phones in 2017. India is now second-largest #mobile phone producer in the world after China: Indian Cellular Association pic.twitter.com/PmGMBflMVP — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 1, 2018 × Data available from market research firm IHS, China's National Bureau of Statistics and Vietnam General Statistics Office was studied to conclude that the annual production of mobile phones in India increased from 3 million units in 2014 to 11 million units in 2017. With a boost in mobile production, smartphone imports dropped by less than half in 2017. "We are happy to inform you that with the strenuous and calibrated efforts of the government of India, ICA and FTTF, India has now emerged as the second largest producer of mobile handsets by volume," ICA National President Pankaj Mohindroo said in a letter addressed to union ministers on March 28 India has now set a target to achieve around 500 million mobile phone production by 2019. (With inputs from PTI)

India replaces Vietnam to become second largest mobile phone producer after China

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