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Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang at the regular press conference on January 9 (Photo: VNA)

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on January 9 replied to reporters' question about Vietnam’s reaction to China’s testing of the Jinghong dam.

She noted that Vietnam pays attention to, studies and assesses activities relating to the Mekong River’s water resources.

The country holds that aside from the legitimate interests in using the Mekong River’s water resources, the relevant countries also have the common responsibility of using the river’s water resources in an equitable and sustainable manner and ensuring the balanced interests of all countries the river runs through, for the sake of peace and sustainable development of the region, the spokeswoman added.

Responding to a question about Vietnam’s comment on the recent US-Iran tensions, Hang stated: “Vietnam is concerned about the recent tensions in the Middle East. We call on all relevant parties to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalating tensions, not use force, protect civilians, and resolve disagreements though dialogue and peaceful measures on the basis of respecting international law for the sake of peace, stability in the region and the world.”

She added to ensure security and safety for Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry has publicised the citizen protection hotlines of all representative agencies of Vietnam in the region so that people can contact when necessary.

Regarding the farm fire in Ramenskoye town in the suburbs of Moscow, Russia, the spokeswoman noted the Foreign Ministry has continually updated information. Its Consular Department and the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia are promptly and closely coordinating with authorised agencies of both countries to gather information from Vietnam and the Vietnamese community in Russia to support the identification of victims. They are also making preparations to protect citizens and deal with relevant procedures in case there are Vietnamese among the dead.

On January 8, the embassy sent a diplomatic note to the Russian ministries of foreign affairs and internal affairs and the internal affairs agency of Ramenskoye, asking for the investigation to be accelerated, information about the results of the identification of the dead to be announced soon, and active treatment for the Vietnamese woman currently in hospital, Hang added./.