The conference was chaired by Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), and head of the CPVCC Commission for Communication and Education. More than 400 delegates also attended the conference, including representatives of leaders of ministries and branches, members of the Central Steering Committee for External Information Service, and leaders of a number of provinces and cities. Speaking at the conference, Politburo member Vo Van Thuong praised the efforts of sectors, localities and units at all levels in strengthening external information activities, publicising information on the sea, islands and land border demarcation. However, he pointed to the need to improve mechanisms for information supply and co-ordination of ministries, sectors and localities. He emphasized that by 2020, the international and regional situation and the South China Sea issue will continue to contain many potential risks and profound impacts on security and the relations among countries in the region. 2020 will be a significant year to Vietnam, in which it will take the role of ASEAN Chairmanship and the non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. This year will mark many important historic events. All-level Party congresses will also be held in the year, towards the 13th National Party Congress. In this context, the external information service and the dissemination of information on the nation’s seas, islands and border affairs should continue to contribute to ensure the two important objectives, including maintaining national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and ensuring a peaceful and stable environment for the development of Vietnam. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the cohesion between domestic information and foreign information, contributing to raising the position and prestige of Vietnam in the international arena; improve the capacity of analyzing, forecasting, proactively preventing and effectively handling issues when complicated and sensitive cases arise. it is necessary to continue to improve the quality and performance of the Central Steering Committee for External Information Service at all levels. At the conference, the CPVCC Commission for Communication and Education presented certificates of merit to 27 organisations and 11 individuals for their outstanding achievements in foreign information work, including the publication of information on the sea, islands and land border demarcation, in 2019. T.h / NDO |