HANOI: Vietnam has granted amnesty to more than 18,000 prisoners to mark the 70th anniversary of independence from France, but authorities said Friday they do not include anyone convicted of national security crimes.
Giang Son, deputy chairman of the President’s Office, told a news conference Friday that 18,539 inmates were granted amnesty under two directives signed by President Truong Tan Sang. They will be released from prisons starting Monday.
“The amnesty reflects a tradition for mercy of our country,” he said.
Vice Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that there were 34 foreigners are among those to be released — 16 from China, six from Malaysia, six from Laos and two from Australia.
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Vietnam grants amnesty to over18,000 prisoners
Vietnam grants amnesty to over18,000 prisoners
China warns US ‘plotting’ on Taiwan could lead to ‘confrontation’
- Foreign Minister Wang said that any future “instigating and plotting to split China through Taiwan, crossing China’s red line”
MUNICH: Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi warned the United States on Saturday against “plotting” on Taiwan, saying it could lead to a “confrontation” with China.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Foreign Minister Wang said that any future “instigating and plotting to split China through Taiwan, crossing China’s red line.”
“This could very likely lead to a confrontation between China and the United States,” he said.
He added that he hoped Washington would pursue a “positive and pragmatic” approach, “but we are also prepared to deal with various risks.”
China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring under its control.
The United States has long been the democratic island’s most important backer and biggest arms provider, and Taiwan would be heavily reliant on US support in a potential conflict with China.
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