Washington and Taipei unveiled the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in June, just days after the Biden administration excluded the Chinese-claimed island from its Asia-focused economic plan designed to counter China's growing influence. The office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the two sides had "reached consensus on the negotiating mandate" and it was expected that the first round of talks will take place early this autumn. "We plan to pursue an ambitious schedule for achieving high-standard commitments and meaningful outcomes covering the eleven trade areas in the negotiating mandate that will help build a fairer, more prosperous and resilient 21st-century economy," Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi said in a statement. The negotiating mandate released along with the announcement said the United States and Taiwan have set a robust agenda for talks on issues like trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, and removing discriminatory … [Read more...] about US, Taiwan to start formal trade talks under new initiative
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VPA’s General Staff launches sports festival in 2022
The practical program aims to create a chance for troops to exchange as well as to evaluate training quality and sports activities among its affiliated units. In addition, it also contributes to raising training quality and the organization of training and sports activities at all levels, meeting task requirements in the current context. Via the festival, the organizing board will select outstanding athletes to take part in other festivals in the whole military. This year’s event draws the participation of 450 athletes from 23 units. They compete in tennis and volleyball contents. Addressing the event, Senior Colonel Nguyen Van Dai, Deputy Director of the Department of Logistics under the General Staff, requested functional units to ensure all conditions for the participants during the contest, conduct the festival as scheduled with absolute safety. Meanwhile, they should also make thorough preparations for the festival while observing military discipline. Referees were also … [Read more...] about VPA’s General Staff launches sports festival in 2022
Green standards top policies for fresh foreign ventures
The approval of Vietnam’s circular economy development plan, announced in June, aims to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent of GDP by 2030 (as compared to 2014). The commitment at COP26 by Vietnam to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is considered the main call for investment into green technologies and friendly-environmental projects, as well as approval of plans such as the aforementioned circular economy one. These messages have sent a strong signal regarding the country’s direction towards low-carbon, green development, and a circular economy, and could be a new driving force for Vietnam’s sustainable socioeconomic development, helping to improve its competitiveness and foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. While governments have committed to lowering CO2, companies are also following suit for the good of the planet, Photo: Shutterstock As a result, numerous groups have made decisions in terms of investment and other operations … [Read more...] about Green standards top policies for fresh foreign ventures
Cambodia eyes to serve 1.3 million foreign tourists in 2022
Angkor Wat, a UNESCO world heritage site, is the tourist icon of Cambodia. (Photo: Khmer Times) Phnom Penh (VNA) - Cambodia expects to welcome 1.2-1.3 million international tourists in 2022, said Director General of Tourism Development and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism Thong Rathasak. Recovering fast from the COVID-19 downfall, Cambodia is banking on increased arrival of foreign tourists this year, compared to the last two years. According to Rathasak, the Southeast Asian nation served over 500,000 foreign visitors in the first half of this year, and this was a good comeback compared to the number of 200,000 tourist arrivals last year.. COVID-19 was a big lesson as Cambodia n people learned to coexist with a pandemic, he said, hoping that people who left the tourism sector would come back and rebuild their businesses or careers. For Cambodia, 2022 started well as it got the chance to organise the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which was … [Read more...] about Cambodia eyes to serve 1.3 million foreign tourists in 2022
Quang Ninh refutes allegations of sea encroachment in Ha Long Bay
The image of Ao Tien high-class tourism urban area has been shared widely on social networks in recent days. (Photo nld.com.vn) Quang Ninh (VNS/VNA ) - The People's Committee of northern coastal Quang Ninh province has refuted information that it has allowed a project to conduct sea encroachment and subdivide land plots for sale, which seriously undermined the conservation of the UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay . The committee said the information circulating online about a development project encroaching into the bay in recent days was "not true." The image circulated was taken at in Ao Tien high-class tourism urban area project in Van Don district. The area was in Van Don economic zone, not in the Ha Long Bay, the province stressed. In recent days, the image of an urban area with divided land plots and an island in the middle of the area locating right close to Ha Long Bay has been shared widely on Facebook, stirring strong opposition about greed-driven … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh refutes allegations of sea encroachment in Ha Long Bay
Inflation in Singapore expected to peak in Q4: official
Inflation in Singapore expected to peak in Q4. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Inflation in Singapore is expected to peak in the next two to four months and will start to ease thereafter, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has said. In an interview granted to Bloomberg, Wong said inflation rates here may very well settle at a higher rate given the geopolitical environment, supply chain issues and how economies are transitioning towards becoming more sustainable. He added that the extent of this easing towards the year end and where the new inflation rates will stabilise at are big uncertainties. Wong noted that they are not likely to return to the rates Singapore had been used to over the last decade or so, as zero to 1% inflation was a historical anomaly and never used to be so low. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has already tightened monetary policy four times in the last nine months to dampen inflation, Wong said, adding … [Read more...] about Inflation in Singapore expected to peak in Q4: official