General Secretary: Create stronger changes in preventing negativity

In the atmosphere of the whole country celebrating Spring and the 88th anniversary of our Party, on the morning of February 13 (ie December 28, Dinh Dau year), at the Presidential Palace, the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front held a meeting to extend New Year greetings to leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, compatriots, soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired and delivered a New Year greeting at the meeting.

VOV respectfully introduces the full text of the speech by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:

"Dear revolutionary veterans,

Dear comrades,

Today, in the atmosphere of the whole country celebrating Spring, celebrating the 88th anniversary of our Party, we gather here to say goodbye to the Year of the Rooster - 2017 and welcome the Year of the Dog - 2018. On behalf of the Party Central Committee, I would like to send to the veteran revolutionaries, leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, and all comrades, compatriots, soldiers nationwide, and overseas Vietnamese my respectful greetings, affectionate regards, and best wishes.

Dear comrades,

Our country has just passed the year of Dinh Dau - 2017 with many exciting and rich events. In the context of the world and domestic situation with many difficulties and challenges, under the leadership and direction of the Central Party and the State, the efforts and persistent struggles of the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army, our country continues to develop and achieve comprehensive results in almost all fields. Notably:

On socio-economics:For the first time in many years, we have completed and exceeded all 13 planned targets. GDP reached 6.81%, a high level compared to many countries in the region and the world. The macro economy continues to be stable, inflation is under control. Major balances of the economy are basically guaranteed; budget deficit is low. The monetary market is stable; foreign exchange reserves reached a record level of nearly 60 billion USD.

Total import-export turnover reached 425 billion USD, the highest ever. Production and business continued to recover and develop comprehensively in all three sectors of industry, agriculture and services; nearly 127,000 new enterprises were established; the value of agricultural products increased by 2.9%, 4 times higher than in 2016; agricultural export turnover reached 36 billion USD, the highest ever. The service economy had a remarkable development; international tourists reached nearly 13 million. Administrative reform was promoted. The business environment and competitiveness of the economy were improved.

There has been much progress in the cultural and social fields. The capacity for scientific and technological innovation has been enhanced. Education and training have seen quite clear changes. Cultural, information and propaganda work has been innovated and improved in quality, contributing to building trust, creating consensus in society, and gaining the sympathy and support of the international community.

Phu Tho Xoan singing and the art of Bai Choi in the Central region were recognized by UNESCO as representative intangible cultural heritages of humanity. Vietnamese sports achieved high results in regional and international arenas. Social security and social welfare were taken care of and ensured; policies and regimes for people with meritorious services and the poor were well implemented, especially when natural disasters and floods occurred. The fight against crime achieved many positive results, contributing to strengthening political security and maintaining social order and safety.

On foreign affairs, defense and security:2017 was one of the most successful years in implementing the goals and tasks of improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs, deepening relations with partners, proactively and actively integrating, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena.

We have successfully organized the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year; Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year; APEC Vietnam Year 2017. As the host country, we have truly created a Vietnamese mark in the cooperation process of APEC in particular and economic and political connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region in general.

Through measures of both cooperation and struggle, we have resolutely and persistently defended our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, maintained national security, social order and safety, and ensured the country's strategic interests.

Maintain a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment, maintain relations with neighboring countries, and contribute to creating a favorable environment for national construction and protection. National defense and security strength and power are gradually enhanced; marine economic activities are maintained, taking place safely and effectively.

On Party building and rectification, perfecting the political system, and fighting against corruption, waste, bureaucracy, and negativity:The Party and the State have made many important decisions to continue implementing the Resolutions of the 4th Central Committee of the 11th and 12th tenures. The Politburo and the Secretariat have issued many resolutions, directives, regulations and specific provisions to promote positive aspects, prevent, warn, deter and limit negative aspects, build the Party and the political system to be increasingly clean and strong in terms of politics, ideology, organization and ethics; innovate and streamline the apparatus to operate effectively and efficiently.

With great determination, many large and complicated corruption and economic cases have been discovered, investigated and strictly handled; many officials, including high-ranking officials and retired officials who committed violations, have also been handled, which has been welcomed, agreed and supported by officials, party members and people of all walks of life.

All of the above important results have resonated, brought joy, created good impressions of 2017 and given us many valuable lessons. It is not by chance that an atmosphere of excitement, trust in the leadership of the Party, in the strength of the nation, in the cause of innovation, building and defending the Fatherland is spreading and having a strong impact throughout the country.

Achieving these results is first of all due to the Party's will being in line with the people's will, the strength of solidarity, unity, efforts, joint efforts, and unanimity of the entire Party, people, and army in the comprehensive and synchronous renovation process. The Party and State's leadership agencies have made many innovations, coordinated quite closely, smoothly, and methodically in leading, directing, thoroughly grasping, and organizing the implementation of the Resolution of the 12th National Congress, creating positive changes in fully and correctly promoting the Party's leadership role, the State's management, and the people's mastery, promptly, correctly, and effectively resolving life's issues, especially important and sensitive issues. Those results also contribute to strengthening confidence, arousing patriotism, national pride, and creating favorable conditions for us to continue to step firmly on the path of renovation.

On this occasion, we express our deep gratitude to the veteran revolutionaries, the heroic Vietnamese mothers, the contingent of cadres, party members, all compatriots and soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese who have united in the common cause of building and defending the Fatherland, creating the achievements of 2017. We sincerely thank the countries, international organizations, friends from all continents and people around the world for their effective support, cooperation and assistance to Vietnam.

Dear comrades,

2018 is a pivotal year for the success of the implementation of the 5-year goals and tasks (2016-2020). Our country is facing new opportunities and advantages to develop more quickly and sustainably in the coming time, while also facing many new difficulties and challenges. The entire Party, the entire people and the entire army must strive to carry out the tasks set forth in the Resolution of the 12th National Congress.

Focus on prioritizing the completion of the socialist-oriented market economic institution, creating a more obvious change in restructuring the economy associated with renewing the growth model, improving labor productivity and economic competitiveness. Promote fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training; develop human resources; strengthen potential and promote the application of science and technology to overcome challenges and seize opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution.

Effectively develop culture and society, care for and improve people's lives. Strengthen the national defense and people's security posture. Promote comprehensive foreign affairs activities on defense and security in the spirit of "protecting the country from afar", "protecting the country when it is not yet in danger".

Maintain national security, ensure social order and safety. Proactively prevent, combat, and promptly and effectively stop plots and sabotage activities of hostile forces. Do a better job of building a truly clean, strong, and effective Party and political system. Be determined and resolute in creating a stronger and more synchronous change in the fight against corruption, waste, and negativity; continue to consolidate and maintain the trust of cadres, Party members, and people in our Party and State.

Dear comrades,

On the threshold of the new year of Mau Tuat, with new faith, new spirit, new motivation, we believe that, under the wise leadership of the Party, the effective and efficient management and administration of the State, our entire Party, people and army will join hands and unite to overcome all difficulties and challenges, building our country to be more and more dignified, prosperous and beautiful.

In today's joyful and exciting atmosphere, I propose that we raise our glasses to celebrate the Party, celebrate Spring, celebrate the country's renewal. May our people's revolutionary cause achieve even greater victories. May our Party grow more and more mature and strong; our country grow more and more prosperous; our people become more and more prosperous, every family be joyful, and every person be happy.

Happy New Year with many new achievements and new victories!