Strengthening the dissemination of information on foreign affairs, the sea, islands, and border demarcation and monument placement.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of December 26th, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Central Propaganda Department, in coordination with the Central Steering Committee for External Information Work, organized a national conference to summarize the work on external information, propaganda on the sea and islands, and border demarcation and marker placement in 2017; and to implement tasks for 2018.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, and Head of the Central Propaganda Department, attended the Conference and delivered a keynote address.

The delegation from 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; and officials and specialists from several agencies and units.

In 2017, significant results were achieved in external information work, propaganda on maritime and island issues, border demarcation and management, and land border management.

Many Party guidelines and policies, State laws and regulations, achievements of national reform, images of Vietnam's land, culture, and people, issues related to the sea and islands, border demarcation and management on land borders have been actively disseminated through diverse forms, tailored to different target groups. The provision of updated information and the counter-argument against distorted narratives and erroneous viewpoints have been carried out proactively and systematically. This has contributed to raising awareness, fostering a sense of responsibility, and strengthening the trust and support of all segments of the population and the Vietnamese community abroad regarding important national issues, while also gaining the sympathy and support of the international community.

Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, and Head of the Central Propaganda Department, presented Certificates of Commendation to collectives with outstanding achievements in external information work, propaganda on the sea and islands, and border demarcation and monument placement.

The discussions at the conference focused on issues surrounding external information work, propaganda on the sea and islands, and border demarcation and marker placement in 2017 by several ministries, sectors, and localities; experiences in implementing external information work through major foreign affairs activities; and urgent issues related to protecting maritime sovereignty, islands, fisheries, fishing grounds, and fishermen…

Speaking at the Conference, Comrade Vo Van Thuong, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, and Head of the Central Propaganda Department, praised the efforts of all levels, sectors, localities, and units in strengthening external information activities, disseminating information about the sea and islands, demarcation and border management on land, making an important contribution to creating a peaceful and stable environment and favorable conditions for national development.

Students in Nghe An province attentively watch a video introducing Vietnam's seas and islands. (Photo: Archival image)

Besides the achievements, this work still has many limitations that need to be addressed, such as: the understanding of some Party committees, government agencies, and the people regarding the position and role of external information work, propaganda on the sea and islands, demarcation, and land border management is still incomplete and not profound. The content of propaganda is still repetitive and has not fully utilized the power of various communication channels, especially in the context of the current information explosion. There is still a situation where mass media outlets lack political sensitivity, publishing offensive, inaccurate, or unverified news or images…

Border guards in Nghe An province are raising awareness about maritime issues among fishermen in Quynh Luu district. (Photo: archival)

In 2018, the international, regional, and South China Sea situations are projected to continue to be complex, while the domestic situation presents a mix of difficulties, challenges, and opportunities. Therefore, in this context, external information and propaganda work regarding the sea, islands, border demarcation, and land border management needs to be proactive, flexible, and creative; continuing to innovate thinking and awareness, closely linking external information with internal information, and leveraging the combined strength of the entire political system.

Simultaneously, we must promote the application of modern information and communication technologies; pay attention to training and improving the capacity and qualifications of the propaganda workforce; proactively monitor, understand, and forecast the situation; diversify the content, forms, methods, and languages ​​of propaganda; enhance the effectiveness of combating false information; further leverage the favorable support and approval of the international community to firmly protect our sovereignty, borders, territories, and islands; maintain peace and stability; proactively and actively integrate into the international community; and develop the country; thereby enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the region and the world.

On this occasion, the Central Propaganda Department awarded Certificates of Merit to 20 collectives and 14 individuals for their outstanding achievements in external information work, propaganda on the sea and islands, border demarcation and management on land borders in 2017.

PV (Compiled)