President Tran Dai Quang sends New Year's message.

On the eve of the New Year 2017, President Tran Dai Quang expressed his hope that comrades and fellow citizens would strive diligently in their respective positions to successfully achieve the set goals; unite and work together so that our country becomes increasingly prosperous and our people enjoy a better life.

President Tran Dai Quang.

On the occasion of the New Year 2017, President Tran Dai Quang shared with the press his assessments of the achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, as well as his views on the opportunities and challenges facing the country and the nation. The Head of State also expressed his confidence in the unity and determination of the entire nation and the entire political system in the process of building and developing the country in the coming years. The Government's Electronic Information Portal respectfully presents the President's interview.

- Mr. President, as we stand on the threshold of the new year 2017, could you please assess the achievements of our country in 2016?

President Tran Dai Quang2016 was the first year in which the entire Party, people, and armed forces of Vietnam made concerted efforts to implement the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Party. The Resolution set out the overall goals, targets, and key tasks for the five-year period 2016-2020.

Amidst a slow and volatile global economic recovery, the Vietnamese economy overcame significant challenges in the first and second quarters, regaining momentum in production and business, and stabilizing the macroeconomy from the beginning of the third quarter. Although GDP growth did not meet the target, it remained among the top-performing economies in the region.

In other areas, social welfare has received greater attention and is fundamentally guaranteed, and people's lives continue to improve. Political and social stability has been maintained, and national defense and security have been strengthened; we have resolutely and persistently fought to firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland, and to maintain peace and stability. Party building and the construction of the political system have been emphasized and have achieved important results; foreign relations and international integration have become increasingly deep and effective, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena.

However, we are also facing many challenges, such as macroeconomic stability but not yet sustainability, low quality of growth, slow implementation of major breakthroughs and restructuring of industries and sectors; low social labor productivity compared to many countries in the region and around the world; difficult living conditions for people in remote areas, areas affected by storms, floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, and areas with environmental pollution...

- Our country has gone through 30 years of reform. Could the President please give a general assessment of this period?

President Tran Dai QuangInnovation is a profound, comprehensive, and thorough transformation process; it is a great revolutionary undertaking of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army for the goal of a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization. The past 30 years of innovation have been a crucial historical period in the cause of building and defending the country, marking the maturity in all aspects of our Party, State, and people.

Thirty years of reform have also been a period of deep and broad international economic integration at many levels and in diverse forms, in line with the principles and standards of the global economy. Our country has established many strategic economic partnerships; signed 16 new-generation free trade agreements; and 59 countries, including major trading partners, have recognized Vietnam's market economy.

After 30 years of reform, we have achieved tremendous, historically significant accomplishments, affirming that the Party's reform line is correct and creative, and that the path to socialism is consistent with the country's realities and the historical development trends. These achievements and the lessons learned from practice have created an important foundation for our country to continue reforming and developing strongly in the coming years.

- Mr. President, the fight against corruption and waste in our country has achieved important results; however, this scourge remains complex and poses a threat to the survival of our Party and regime. In your capacity as Head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, could you please share your opinion on this matter?

President Tran Dai QuangIn 2016, the fight against corruption, negative practices, and waste achieved positive results, with many particularly serious corruption and economic cases brought to trial, receiving public approval and high praise. However, it still did not meet the requirements set forth and the expectations of the people.

Corruption is one of the four threats to the survival of the Party and the regime. The Party and the State have determined to continue focusing on leadership and guidance, mobilizing the strength of the entire political system and the whole population, and upholding the spirit of the rule of law in the arduous fight against corruption and waste.

To ensure this struggle achieves its objectives, it is necessary to build and seriously implement mechanisms for prevention, management, and strict supervision to make corruption impossible; mechanisms for deterrence and punishment to discourage corruption; resolute and thorough handling of corrupt individuals, without being pressured by any organization or individual; and effective measures to recover the assets seized through corruption.

Furthermore, judicial agencies need to coordinate closely with authorities in other countries to promptly apprehend criminals who have fled abroad, ensuring the strict enforcement of the law and deterring those who intend to flee; preventing criminals from believing that foreign countries are safe havens or places of refuge where they can escape legal punishment.

- The issue of preventing and reversing the decline in political ideology and morality, and the "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party, continues to be an important, ongoing, and urgent task. Mr. President, what are the requirements for this work in the coming period?

President Tran Dai QuangThe Politburo recently held a nationwide online conference for cadres to disseminate and thoroughly understand the Resolution of the 4th Central Committee Meeting (12th Congress) on "Strengthening Party building and rectification, preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, and the manifestations of 'self-evolution' and 'self-transformation' within the Party." The requirement for this work is to closely combine "building" and "combating," with the struggle aimed at self-improvement, becoming increasingly clean and strong, and preventing and eliminating both subjective and objective causes.

The enemy never wants us to be strong. They always have many insidious plots and cunning schemes aimed at transforming the political regime and eliminating the leading role of the Communist Party of Vietnam... The goal of "peaceful evolution" is to encourage communists to "self-evolve" and "self-transform," but whether they succeed depends on us. If we build a clean and strong internal structure, the enemy will be powerless.

Implementing the Resolution of the 4th Plenum of the 12th Central Committee is a task for the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army; voluntary compliance is the most important factor. Along with that, the exemplary role of leaders is also extremely important.

- Mr. President, many voters have expressed concern as the country faces serious challenges to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially following the complex developments in the South China Sea. What are your thoughts on this matter for the voters?

President Tran Dai QuangThe sea and islands are an inseparable and sacred part of the Fatherland's territory. Firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity is the responsibility and duty of every Vietnamese citizen. Vietnam's rights and interests in the East Sea are recognized and protected by international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

We are determined and persistent in our struggle to firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of our Fatherland; to maintain a peaceful and stable environment for national development; and to resolve disagreements and disputes through peaceful solutions based on respect for international law.

The task of building and defending the Fatherland in the new situation is posing new demands, requiring the entire political system and the whole nation, with the people's armed forces as the core, to be well-prepared in all aspects, maintain a high level of combat readiness, and avoid being caught off guard or surprised in any situation.

Strengthening the implementation of national defense and security tasks, and building a strong and comprehensive people's armed forces, is an extremely important factor in effectively implementing socio-economic development goals, international integration, and firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland.

- In your capacity as the State representative in domestic and foreign affairs, Mr. President, could you please assess the country's foreign policy achievements in 2016?

President Tran Dai QuangEnsuring the supreme interests of the nation-state, based on the fundamental principles of international law, equality, and mutual benefit, is the core objective of the foreign policy of our Party and State. The documents of the 12th National Party Congress once again affirm the consistent implementation of an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; proactive and active international integration; being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community; enhancing the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities; and further deepening cooperative relationships…

In 2016, foreign affairs activities continued to build upon the achievements of previous years and proactively and actively implemented the foreign policy guidelines set forth by the 12th National Congress of the Party. Despite the complex and evolving global and regional situation, with appropriate, timely, and coordinated solutions, foreign affairs continued to effectively serve the requirements of national construction and development, contributing to enhancing the country's position in the international arena.

Vietnam continues to be a shining example of political stability and development potential. We continue to strengthen and deepen friendly relations and cooperation with other countries and partners for sustainable development. Not only do we play an active role in building the ASEAN Community, but we also perform well as members of United Nations organizations such as the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council, the UNESCO Executive Board, and Vietnam's representative was elected to the International Law Commission…; we actively participate in and make significant contributions to multilateral forums, earning high praise from the international community.

- On the occasion of the New Year 2017, what wishes does the President of Vietnam have for the people of the whole country and our compatriots abroad?

President Tran Dai QuangThe New Year is a time for us to reflect on the journey we've taken, prepare ourselves, and continue to be proactive and steadfast on the path ahead.

Our Party has identified the need to innovate the growth model to improve the quality of growth, labor productivity, and the competitiveness of the economy, achieving rapid, sustainable, and comprehensive development in economic, social, and environmental aspects. The process of international integration and participation in new-generation free trade agreements at a deep and broad level has opened up new development opportunities for the Vietnamese economy, while also posing numerous intertwined difficulties and challenges…

I hope that you, comrades and fellow citizens, will strive diligently in your respective positions to successfully achieve the goals we have set; unite and work together so that our country becomes increasingly prosperous and our people enjoy a better life.

On the occasion of the New Year 2017 and in preparation for the traditional Lunar New Year of the Rooster, I would like to send my best wishes to all compatriots and soldiers throughout the country, and to our compatriots abroad.

According to VNA