Strengthening Defense Foreign Affairs in protecting sea and island sovereignty

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of July 3, in Hanoi, the Ministry of National Defense held an online conference to review the Defense foreign affairs work in the first 6 months of 2014. Participating in the conference were the connecting points of agencies and units in the entire army. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of National Defense chaired the conference. At the connecting point of Military Region 4, there were the participation of leaders and commanders of affiliated agencies and units. Major General Nguyen Chi Huong, Deputy Commander of the Military Region chaired the conference.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of National Defense spoke at the Conference.

Major General Nguyen Chi Huong, Deputy Commander of Military Region 4, presided over the meeting at the Military Region 4 bridge.

In the first six months of 2014, the Ministry of National Defense has strictly implemented the Party and State's foreign policies and guidelines, and advised the Party and State on peaceful struggle measures of the Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance forces performing law enforcement duties in the East Sea. It has promoted multilateral and bilateral defense relations with countries around the world, contributing to promoting international strength in protecting Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands. Vietnam's defense attachés at foreign diplomatic agencies have promoted their role and effectiveness in advising on defense cooperation in countries and regions.

External information and propaganda work has been promoted, well organized for domestic and foreign reporters to work in the field, contributing to the international community's understanding of China's wrongful actions in bringing the HD-981 drilling rig into Vietnam's sovereign waters, highlighting Vietnam's just cause in protecting territorial sovereignty in the East Sea. The Ministry of National Defense has increasingly participated in forums and defense cooperation mechanisms in the region and the world. The Vietnam Peacekeeping Center was established and put into operation, sending the first two officers to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. Cooperation activities in defense trade, defense industry, military technology exchange and transfer, and military training cooperation have been promoted, contributing to strengthening the country's defense potential...

The conference also pointed out the limitations and shortcomings that need to be overcome and proposed directions for defense diplomacy in the last 6 months of 2014. It especially emphasized the promotion of defense diplomacy activities, promoting the strength of the international community to contribute with the army and people of the whole country to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands in the East Sea in particular, and the territorial sovereignty of the Fatherland of Vietnam in general.

Phong Quang - Van Dong(Provincial Military Command)