In late 2019 and early 2020, China announced its 'Four-Sha' sovereignty claims over the East Sea in two diplomatic notes sent to the UN Secretary-General, aiming to replace the so-called 'nine-dash line' that had been previously rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh on May 8 attended the United Nations Security Council’s high-level video meeting with the theme “75 years from the end of the Second World War on European Soil – lessons learned for preventing future atrocities, responsibility of the Security Council".

The Chinese Embassy in Việt Nam held a press teleconference in Hà Nội on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties and international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

The National Assembly Standing Committee began its 45th session in Hà Nội on Friday under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng has said Việt Nam rejects China’s unilateral decision on a fishing ban in the East Sea from May 1 to August 16.

Buddha's Birthday celebrations this year were a little bit lower key, as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic.