President Truong Tan Sang on June 3 had a working session with the command of Military Zone 2, which covers nine mountainous and hilly provinces in the northwestern region.

The President praised efforts by the armed forces in Military Zone 2 in boosting socio-economic development in the northwestern provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc.

He also hailed their help for local people in fighting natural disaster, flood, and building socio-economic areas in the border region.

He said Military Zone 2 occupies an important strategic position in terms of socio-economic development, defense, security and external affairs. It is also home to large communities of ethnic minority people with difficulties in their socio-economic lives.

Therefore, the Military Zone 2 officers and soldiers should work with local authorities in improving the living conditions for local people, maintaining political stability and social order, defending sovereignty and territorial integrity, preventing all sabotage schemes of hostile forces timely, and building a borderline of peace and friendship, the president said.

Military Zone 2 has a population of more than seven million of 34 ethnic groups, and shares a borderline of 1,375 km with China and Laos./.