Conference on implementing foreign information work, propaganda on sea and islands, border demarcation and marker planting in 2012

(Baonghean.vn) - In Hanoi, on April 3-4, 2012, the Central Propaganda Department held a national conference to review foreign information work, propaganda on seas and islands; border demarcation and marker planting in 2011 and deploy tasks for 2012.

Comrade Dinh The Huynh - Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, Head of the Steering Committee for External Information Affairs directed the Conference. Attending the Conference were Comrade Pham Gia Khiem - former Politburo member, former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Steering Committee for External Information Affairs, 10th term, Permanent Deputy Head of the State Steering Committee for the East Sea - Islands; comrades in the Steering Committee for External Information Affairs and nearly 600 delegates representing leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, mass organizations and the sectors of Propaganda and Education, Foreign Affairs, Information and Communications, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Press of 63 provinces and cities nationwide and press and media agencies attending the Conference.

Overview of the Conference

In 2011, the regional and world situation had many complicated and multi-dimensional developments, especially the situation in the East Sea; huge political and social fluctuations in the Middle East and North Africa; public debt in many European countries; street riots in England and France; the "Occupy Wall Street" movement in the US and spreading to many countries; the presidential election in Russia; the heated situation in Iran and Syria; tensions on the Korean peninsula; the double disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear leak in Japan... That situation had many-dimensional impacts on the ideology and psychology of our cadres, party members and people.

Foreign information activities; propaganda about seas, islands and border demarcation have made important contributions to helping the international community, overseas Vietnamese and people of all walks of life in the country better understand the situation of the country, the world situation, and Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, cooperation and development.

Regarding a number of complex and sensitive issues and incidents related to sovereignty disputes in the East Sea, religious issues, democracy, human rights, etc., including important socio-economic, national defense-security and foreign affairs issues of the country, our information and propaganda work has proactively provided and oriented information, helping the international community and our compatriots abroad and at home to clearly and fully understand the nature of the incident; affirm the correct guidelines, viewpoints and policies of our Party and State; and fight against false and distorted information and arguments of opportunistic, reactionary and hostile forces.

In addition to the basic and important efforts and results, the Summary Report on foreign information, propaganda on seas, islands and border demarcation and marker planting, as well as nearly 20 presentations at the Conference pointed out the limitations and weaknesses that need to be focused on overcoming; analyzed, pointed out the causes, especially subjective causes, determined the goals, tasks and solutions for the coming time.

In 2012, the work of foreign information, propaganda on seas, islands and border demarcation and marker planting needs to focus on a number of core tasks, namely: Thoroughly grasp the content of Conclusion No. 16-KL/TU dated February 14, 2012 of the Politburo on "Strategy for developing foreign information for the period 2011-2012" to departments, ministries, branches, organizations, localities, and representative agencies of Vietnam abroad. Coordinate the development and implementation of the Government's foreign information action program in the spirit of the Strategy. Continue to improve the organization, strengthen the capacity of directing and coordinating activities, perfect the system of legal documents on foreign information work, ensure unity, synchronization and improve the effectiveness in directing and implementing work from the Central to local levels, domestically and internationally.

Second: Raising awareness of all levels, sectors, and all classes of people about the position, role, and important significance of foreign information work, propaganda about seas, islands, and border demarcation and marker planting, continuing to innovate and further improve the effectiveness of propaganda activities. Helping the international community, our compatriots abroad, and people at home clearly understand, agree with, and support the Party's guidelines and viewpoints, the State's policies and laws on important issues of our country as well as international and regional issues. Especially issues related to our country's sovereignty and sovereign rights in the East Sea; building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative sea and land border, developing together with neighboring countries. Respecting international laws, conventions, and Vietnam's commitments to the international community, effectively serving the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
Actively and proactively fight against erroneous viewpoints, information and distorted arguments of hostile forces.

Third: Improve the quality of research, forecasting, inspection, survey, and evaluation of the quality of foreign information activities, sea and island propaganda, and border demarcation and marker planting. Urgently review plans, programs, and projects related to the three above-mentioned work aspects, increase investment in a reasonable and focused manner for important programs and projects in 2012, ensuring the successful implementation of foreign information tasks, sea and island propaganda, and border demarcation and marker planting of our country in 2012 and the coming years.

Fourth, attach importance to the work of collecting, researching, completing documents, and consolidating the legal basis for the sovereignty of our country's borders and islands. Actively participate in coordination and cooperation with scientists, international organizations, and individuals to serve this sacred mission.

On this occasion, the Central Propaganda Department awarded Certificates of Merit to a number of localities and press agencies with many achievements in foreign information work, sea and island propaganda, and border demarcation and marker planting in 2011.

Phan Nguyen