US Senator John McCain has emphasized that China’s sovereign claims in the East Sea have no basis in international law.

The establishment of a military garrison in the so-called Sansha City and the election of its municipal people’s council violates international law as well as Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos.

Researcher Phan Thuan An, who has uncovered the official documents affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, was honoured at a recent ceremony in Thua Thien-Hue central province. 

The cooperation agreement recently signed between the Vietnamese and Cambodian National Assemblies will contribute to further increasing bilateral cooperation and friendship between the two countries in the time to come. 

President Truong Tan Sang on July 23 extended congratulations to Pranab Mukherjee on his election as the 13th President of India. 

Vietnam is keen to develop mutually beneficial political, diplomatic, defence and cultural relations with Cambodia, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

A delegation from the Vietnamese Government Inspectorate led by Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh held talks with a delegation from the Cambodian Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection headed by Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An in Hanoi on July 23.

President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin’s visit to Vietnam is of great significance and will strengthen the time-honoured relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

Cambodia National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin has expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Party, the Vietnamese people will make greater achievements in its Renewal (Doi Moi) process.

The National Assemblies of Vietnam and Cambodia signed an agreement in Hanoi on July 22 to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two legislative bodies.

The China National Radio has reported that more than 1,100 Chinese voters in 15 constituencies on the Tay Sa, Nam Sa and Trung Sa islands cast ballots on July 21 to elect deputies to their so-called Sansha city municipal people’s council.

Major Russia media agencies, including ITAR-TASS, RIA-Novosti, the Voice of Russia, and Russian Television, on July 20 ran wide coverage on the upcoming visit to Moscow by Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang.

Vietnam condemns all sorts of terrorism targeting innocent civilians, said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

President Truong Tan Sang will pay an official visit to Russia from July 26-30 to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Heng Samrin, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on July 20, starting his official five-day visit to Vietnam.

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong announced ASEAN’s six-point principles on the East Sea at a press briefing in Phnom Penh on July 20. 

State President Truong Tan Sang has asked the People’s Police Force to make greater contributions to maintaining social order and security.

A high-level delegation led by Lao Vice President Bunnhang Volachit paid a working visit to the northern province of Tuyen Quang on July 19.

Vietnam always welcomes foreign businesses to invest in the country, in all sectors, while creating very favourable conditions for them.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on July 19 received Iranian ambassador Hossein Al-Vandi Behine and Mozambique ambassador Gamilien Munguambe, who have both recently assumed their roles in Vietnam.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the non-resident representative of the Holy See to Vietnam, conducted his ninth working visit to 12 provinces and cities throughout the country from July 2-19.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan presided over the first session of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement (NCSDCI) on July 19.

Lao Party General Secretary and State President Chummaly Sayasone welcomed Vietnamese Politburo member, Le Hong Anh, who is on visit to Laos in Vientiane on July 18.

Vietnam wants the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to continue to share experience and provide assistance to the country’s court sector in the coming time.

Vietnam will continue to work closely with Indonesia and other ASEAN members to enhance the regional bloc’s role, and primarily to build the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Vietnam has sufficient legal and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelagos.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) attaches great importance to the ties of traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, says Kim Yong-nam, President of the Korean Supreme People’s Assembly.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on July 18 received the ambassadors of the Czech Republic, France and Singapore, who were paying farewell visits before ending their working terms in Vietnam.

The traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and India have developed well over the years, and Vietnam supports India’s Look East policy.

The traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are an invaluable asset and an important factor behind the success of the revolution in each country.