In the third quarter of 2022, Song Ma district continued to effectively implement Directive No. 38-CT/TW dated July 21, 2014, of the Politburo on strengthening the management of delegations going abroad; Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW dated October 10, 2017, of the Politburo on the socio-economic and cultural development of border communes combined with strengthening and consolidating national defense, security, and foreign relations; Decision No. 607-QĐ/TU dated April 5, 2018, of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee promulgating the Regulations on unified management of foreign affairs activities of Son La province; Regulations on land border areas; and launched the "Mass movement to participate in self-management of border lines and markers, maintaining security and order in border areas." It also directed the effective implementation of border regulations, foreign affairs, border patrol, and protection of national border security.

Public awareness and mobilization efforts have been identified as crucial tasks. The District People's Committee has directed border communes and border guard posts to disseminate information to all officials, Party members, and people of all ethnic groups in the border areas regarding: the Border Law; the Agreement on the National Border Regime between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Decision No. 607-QD/TU dated April 5, 2018, of the Provincial Party Standing Committee promulgating the Regulations on the unified management of foreign affairs activities in Son La province; the Regulations on land border areas; and the "Movement for mass participation in self-management of border lines and markers, maintaining security and order in border areas"; and Directive No. 01/CT-TTg dated January 9, 2015, of the Prime Minister on organizing the nationwide movement to protect national territorial sovereignty and border security in the new situation.

Simultaneously, the two Border Guard Posts were instructed to take the lead and coordinate with other forces to organize patrols along the border, including border markers and national border signs, promptly detecting, preventing, and handling illegal activities on the border. Efforts were intensified to educate the people on both sides of the border about their responsibility to protect the border and border markers; to refrain from illegal border crossings, encroachment on cultivated land, and settlement, and to avoid assisting in other illegal activities. Specifically, in the third quarter, the following were conducted: 2 bilateral patrols with 17 officers and soldiers from both sides; 17 border patrol teams with 154 patrols; 12 mobile control teams with 48 officers and soldiers; and 12 field operations teams with 48 officers and soldiers.

In addition, specialized agencies organized the thorough understanding and strict implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, and the Directives and Resolutions of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Son La Provincial Military Command on national defense and military tasks. They closely monitored the situation, accurately predicted and assessed potential scenarios, especially along the border, in cyberspace, and in key areas. They consolidated, strengthened, and improved the leadership, command, and operational capacity of the District Defense Zone Steering Committee and the District Defense Zone Supply Council. They continued to implement the 2019 Militia and Self-Defense Law and the Reserve Mobilization Law, and carried out the organization, management, and training of reserve mobilization units according to the Prime Minister's Decision. Strengthening and establishing the operational regulations of the National Defense and Security Education Councils at all levels for the 2021-2025 term. Building up the reserve mobilization force and the militia force, creating a source of cadres, developing Party members, and ensuring timely and synchronized provision of policies and benefits for military cadres at the commune and town levels, as well as the militia and reserve forces, when mobilized for duty as prescribed by the Government.

Maintain strict control over entry and exit activities, as well as export and import activities along the border. Continue to effectively implement Government Resolution 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021, on the promulgation of temporary regulations on "Safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 epidemic," and seriously implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures as directed by the Central Government, guided by the Ministry of Health, and the Provincial People's Committee.

In the coming period, Song Ma district will continue to strengthen coordination, information exchange, and judicial assistance with the police of Muong Et and Hua Phan districts in Laos; promptly detect, combat, and resolve issues arising in the border area, preventing them from escalating into "hot spots" that complicate security and order and Vietnam-Laos relations; and direct border guard posts to regularly inspect and protect the border markers between Vietnam and Laos. It will also protect the border road between Song Ma district, Son La province, and Muong Et district, Hua Phan province…

Nhu Thuy