Navy requested to support fishermen, boost defense diplomacy to protect national sovereignty

Party General Secretary To Lam at the event (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The demand was made by Party General Secretary To Lam, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, at a ceremony held by the Naval Service under the Ministry of National Defense in northern Hai Phong city on February 28. At the event, the Navy was granted the Hero of the People’s Armed Forces title for the third time.

Congratulating the Navy on its particularly excellent achievements, he emphasized that for over 70 years, under the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over all aspects, President Ho Chi Minh’s guidance, the State’s concentrated and unified governance, the direct oversight from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, as well as the unwavering support from the people and international friends, the Navy has continuously grown and matured, fulfilling all assigned missions and achieving numerous outstanding and exceptional feats in fighting, training, combat readiness, production, and the fulfillment of international obligations.

Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang welcomes Party General Secretary To Lam. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Outlining tasks for the Navy, the General Secretary asked for thoroughly grasping the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines, as well as the State’s policies and laws regarding military and national defense. Key emphasis should be placed on the new strategic thinking and perceptions on national defense and Fatherland protection stated in the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

Furthermore, he noted, the Navy must stay well-informed of the situation to provide timely and accurate advice for the Party, State, Central Military Commission, and Ministry of National Defense to firmly safeguard national sovereignty over seas and islands while maintaining a peaceful and stable maritime environment for national development.

The service must focus on effectively implementing "two steadfastness's," he demanded, elaborating that the force needs to stay steadfast in the Party’s military and defense guidelines and in building a politically strong military.

It must also adopt “two advancements,” advancing the development of a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern People’s Army while promoting international integration and defense diplomacy.

Party General Secretary To Lam and delegates pose for a joint photo at the event. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The Party leader also highlighted the importance of "two preventions," preventing war and conflict risks, as well as preventing any signs of ideological, moral, or lifestyle degradation, including "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Military Party Organization and the entire service.

Finally, the force must ensure “five solidities,” robust political mettle, strict discipline, technological prowess, strong military art, and stable quality of life for its personnel, according to him.

In his remarks, General Secretary Lam requested the Navy to build comprehensively strong and exemplary agencies and units, with a special focus on enhancing political education and ideological work, ensuring that officers and soldiers maintain unwavering political mettle. Besides, it must strongly foster a spirit of solidarity, unity, self-reliance, confidence and national pride to overcome all challenges and strive for the excellent fulfillment of all assigned duties.

He underscored the need to continue building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern navy. Emphasis must be placed on innovating and enhancing the quality of training, as well as the combat readiness. The force should proactively study recent wars and conflicts around the world to further develop naval military art in alignment with the people's war posture for Fatherland safeguarding in the new era.

In addition, it must maintain a close integration of defense, security, foreign affairs, and economic missions while proactively researching and providing advice on measures for sustainable maritime economic development, closely linked with the protection of national sovereignty at sea, the Party chief said.

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the event. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Reviewing the Naval Service’s history, Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, and Commander of the Navy, stated that following the complete liberation of the North, the Coastal Defense Department, the predecessor of the Vietnam People’s Navy, was established on May 7, 1955 to meet the requirements for managing and protecting national sovereignty over seas and islands.

Over the past 70 years, the Navy has continuously developed and obtained numerous glorious victories, some of which have become legendary milestones for both the military and the nation in the Ho Chi Minh era.

After the national reunification, the Navy continued to excel in fulfilling its noble international missions in Laos and Cambodia. Defending maritime sovereignty, the service has consistently shown its absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people.

The Navy has pro-actively researched and accurately forecasted developments to give advice to the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Party, and the State. It has also flexibly responded to complex maritime situations, firmly safeguarded national sovereignty over seas and islands, supported maritime economic activities, and maintained a peaceful and stable environment at sea for national development, Nghiem reported.