The image of Ao Tiên high-class tourism urban area has been shared widely on social networks in recent days. — Photo nld.com.vn

QUẢNG NINH — The northern coastal Quảng Ninh Province People's Committee has refuted claims that it has allowed a project to conduct sea encroachment and subdivide land plots for sale in Hạ Long Bay area, which seriously undermined the conservation of the UNESCO-recognised site.

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 in Ao Tiên high-class tourism urban area project in Vân Đồn District.

The area in question was in Vân Đồn economic zone, not in the Hạ 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 Hạ Long Bay has been shared widely on Facebook, stirring strong opposition about greed-driven incursion into nature.

Vũ Đức Hưởng, chairman of Vân Đồn District’s People’s Committee, affirmed that the planning of Ao Tiên area was approved by the provincial People's Committee in accordance with the general construction planning of Vân Đồn economic zone, which had been approved by the Government in Decision No. 1296 issued on August 19, 2009 and Decision No. 266 on February 17, 2020.

"Ao Tiên new urban area project has been assigned to invest in construction since 2004. Up to now, the project has been basically completed and has been granted a land use right certificate,” he said.

Currently, the provincial People's Committee has called for investment in two five-star hotel and tourism complexes in this area, including Crystal Holidays Harbor Vân Đồn tourism, resort and entertainment complex with an area of ​​2.6ha anda total investment capital of VNĐ3.61 trillion (US$154 million) and Ao Tiên - Cát Linh Vân Đồn luxury hotel and apartment complex with an area of ​​2.3ha with a total investment capital of VNĐ3.91 trillion ($167 million).

In Ao Tiên area, there is a high-class port project, which has been approved by the provincial People's Committee in 2020.

The project has been built on an area of ​​29.21ha with a maximum operating capacity of about 4.2 million passengers per year.

Currently, the project is under construction and is almost completed.

According to the Management Board of Vân Đồn Economic Zone, before 2004, Ao Tiên area was a swampy, deserted area until the planning for Vân Đồn Economic Zone was approved and started to be constructed.

Investment projects in Ao Tiên area will help contribute to a complete and synchronous service and tourism infrastructure system, meeting the requirements of construction and development of Vân Đồn economic zone into a multi-sector marine economic zone, the board said.

Đinh Văn Đức works at the police office in Quảng Ninh Province. Photo congthuong.vn

On Tuesday, Quảng Ninh Province’s Cybersecurity and high-tech crime prevention and control department had summoned Đinh Văn Đức, 33, residing in Quảng Yên Town to clarify his information on the issue on social media.

On August 16, Đức used a personal Facebook account to comment on a post about the Ao Tiên project in Vân Đồn District on the Facebook page named "People of Quảng Ninh."

According to the department, the comment had false content, affecting the reputation and image of the leaders of Quảng Ninh Province.

At the police station, Đức confessed to the violation.

The police made a record of administrative violations against Đức for taking advantage of social mediato post false information and insult the reputation of agencies and organisations.

The police have been working with a number of cases in Uông Bí City, Cẩm Phả City and Vân Đồn District about false statements on the issue. — VNS