National conference reviews 2015 external information services

Hanoi (VNA) – The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education hosted a national conference in Hanoi on December 30 to review external information services and dissemination of news regarding seas, islands and border demarcation for 2015 and set tasks for 2016.

Over 600 representatives from ministries, agencies, socio-political organisations, localities and the media attended the event.

Participants hailed achievements made during the year thanks to increased liaison among relevant units at home and abroad, which they said, has brought about better news products in both quantity and quality.

Foreign-language news about major country events, all-level Party congresses towards the 12th National Party Congress, outstanding diplomatic activities of Party and State leaders and international integration have received special attention.

The East Sea issue, land border delimitation, public opinion orientation and the fight against wrongful allegations by hostile forces have rallied public support both in and outside the country toward the cause of safeguarding national sea, island and border sovereignty and maintaining an environment of peace and stability for national development.

The conference also pointed out existing flaws, including asynchronous organisation mechanism which has yet to utilise collective power of the entire political system, low efficiency of news forecast and tracking in several cases that affects orientation quality, and the lack of attractive publications that suit specific areas and audiences.

Though in higher volumes, external relations news have yet to reach a desirable and wider audience while the role of key press outlets and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad is yet fully brought into play.

Concluding the conference, Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee Dinh The Huynh, who is also head of the commission, said 2016 is a year when the 12th National Party Congress is held. The country is forecast to continue facing challenges while complicated and uncertain developments remain in the region and the world, including in the East Sea.

About missions for 2016, he stressed the need to focus on key tasks in line with Vietnam’s stance and external relations policies mentioned in the 12th National Party Congress’s documents, refine coordination and steering mechanisms at both local and central levels, and further improve the number and quality of foreign language news.

While combating wrongful and distorted allegations by hostile and opportunist forces, he requested continuing to popularise Vietnam’s viewpoint on the settlement of the East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law, Vietnam’s friendly relations with major and neighboring countries, and the foreign policy of peace, independence and self-reliance, contributing to pooling the global support to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the event, the commission presented certificates of merit to 25 units and 18 individuals in recognition of their dedication to external information as well as sea, island and border demarcation news services.-VNA