The mission also included Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quang Phuong, Deputy Chief of the General Department of Politics (GDP) and representatives from MND’s organs, GDP, the General Staff, the General Departments of Logistics and Technical Services, the Navy, the Border Guard Command, and Naval Regions 4 and 2, among others.
The delegates checked the outcomes of DK1/14 and DK1/15 Platforms’ training and combat readiness missions and their preparations for the upcoming Lunar New Year Festival. They also presented gifts to troops on the platforms.
On behalf of the CMC and MND, General Giang praised troops’ proactiveness and creativity and their efforts to fulfill all assigned missions. He affirmed that the CMC, MND, troops, and people in the mainland put whole trust in troops on the platforms, hoping that they will further promote solidarity and practice military contingencies together to firmly protect national sovereignty over the seas, islands, and the continental shelf.
In Truong Sa island district, the mission inspected the task implementation of some units stationed in the locality and visited and presented Tet gifts to troops and islanders. The delegation wished troops and islanders good health, happiness, prosperity, while maintaining high combat readiness.
During the visit, General Giang and General Phuong briefed troops and people in Truong Sa island district on socio-economic and defense-security situations in 2019 as well as guidelines of the Party, State, and Army for 2020.
They also listened to the outcomes of task implementation of units in Truong Sa island district and their preparations for the upcoming Lunar New Year. Regarding preparations for Tet, units on the island district enhanced agriculture production to increase troops’ and islanders’ living standards during the upcoming Tet holiday, while paying attention to promoting their spiritual lives.
Troops and islanders expressed deep thanks for the concern of CMC and MND leaders, saying that Tet gifts will help them have a warmer and happier festival.
During the visit, the mission offered incense to President Ho Chi Minh, laid wreaths in commemoration of fallen soldiers, visited Truong Sa Pagoda, and extended New Year greetings to Buddhist monks.
Below are some photos of the visit.
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Helicopter EC-225 of Army Corps 18 flying the mission to Truong Sa island district and DK1 platforms from Tan Son Nhat Airport |
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Troops on DK1/15 welcoming the delegation |
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Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang meeting with troops on Truong Sa island |
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Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quang Phuong encouraging enlistees who will celebrate the first Lunar New Year on Truong Sa island |
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The mission offering flowers and incense at Truong Sa Monument |
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CMC and MoD leaders striking the bell at Truong Sa Pagoda to pray for a peaceful new year |
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General Giang presenting gifts to troops on DK1/14 Platform |
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General Phuong handing over presents to islanders on Truong Sa town |
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The mission and Truong Sa troops posing for a joint photo |
Translated by Song Anh