Strengthening propaganda on foreign affairs, sea, islands, demarcation and marker planting

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of December 26, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Central Propaganda Department coordinated with the Central Steering Committee for External Information Work to organize a national conference to review the work of external information, propaganda on seas, islands, border demarcation and marker planting in 2017; and deploy tasks for 2018.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department attended the Conference and gave a speech.

The delegation of Nghe An province attending the conference included: Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department; members of the Provincial Party Committee: Le Ba Hung - Director of the Department of Information and Communications; Pham Thi Hong Toan - Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper; Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Director of Nghe An Radio and Television Station; officers and specialists from a number of agencies and units.

In 2017, foreign information work, sea and island propaganda, border demarcation, marker planting and land border management achieved important results.

Many Party guidelines and policies, State policies and laws, the country's innovation achievements, the image of the country, culture, Vietnamese people, sea and island issues, demarcation, marker planting and land border management have been promoted in many diverse forms, suitable for each type of target; the work of providing updated information, fighting against distorted arguments and wrong views has been carried out proactively, layer by layer. That has contributed to raising awareness, sense of responsibility, strengthening the trust and support of all classes of people, overseas Vietnamese communities for important issues of the country, and at the same time gaining the sympathy and support of the international community.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department, awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives with outstanding achievements in foreign information work, propaganda on seas and islands, and border demarcation and marker planting.

The presentations at the conference focused on discussing issues surrounding foreign information work, propaganda on seas and islands, and demarcation and marker planting in 2017 of a number of ministries, branches and localities; experiences in implementing foreign information work through major foreign affairs activities; urgent issues raised related to protecting sovereignty over seas, islands, fisheries, fishing grounds, fishermen, etc.

Speaking at the Conference, Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Propaganda Department, commended the efforts of all levels, sectors, localities and units in strengthening foreign information activities, propaganda on seas and islands, demarcation, marker planting and management of land borders, contributing significantly to creating a peaceful and stable environment and favorable conditions for national development.

Nghe An students attentively watch a clip introducing Vietnam's sea and islands. Photo courtesy

In addition to the achieved results, this work still has many limitations that need to be focused on overcoming, such as: the awareness of a part of the Party committees, authorities and people about the position and role of foreign information work, propaganda on seas, islands, demarcation, marker planting and land border management is still not complete and profound. Propaganda content is still duplicated, not fully promoting the power of propaganda channels, especially in the context of the current information explosion. There is still a situation where the mass media lacks political sensitivity, reports offensive, inaccurate, unverified news or images...

Nghe An Border Guards promote sea and islands to Quynh Luu fishermen. Photo: archive

In 2018, the international, regional and East Sea situations are forecast to continue to have complex developments, the domestic situation has difficulties, challenges and advantages intertwined. Therefore, in that context, the work of foreign information, propaganda on sea, islands, demarcation, marker planting and land border management needs to be proactive, flexible and creative; continue to innovate thinking and awareness, closely link foreign information with domestic information, promote the combined strength of the entire political system.

At the same time, promote the application of modern information and communication technology; pay attention to training and improving the capacity and qualifications of the propaganda team; proactively monitor, grasp and forecast the situation; diversify the content, form, method and language of propaganda; improve the effectiveness of the fight against false information; further seek the consensus and support of the international community to firmly protect the sovereignty of borders, territories, seas and islands, maintain peace and stability, proactively and actively integrate into the international community, and develop the country; enhance the position and prestige of Vietnam in the region and the world.

On this occasion, the Central Propaganda Department awarded Certificates of Merit to 20 collectives and 14 individuals with outstanding achievements in foreign information work, sea and island propaganda, demarcation, marker planting and land border management in 2017.

PV (Synthesis)