Comrade General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau and Minister of National Defense, worked with the Standing Committee of the Son La Provincial Party Committee.

Attending the working session were Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Minister of National Defense; leaders of the General Staff, the General Political Department; and functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense.

The leaders of the Ministry of National Defense attended the working session.

Working with the delegation, Son La province was represented by: Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee; the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; and leaders of several provincial departments and agencies…

Provincial leaders attended the meeting.

During the working session, the Son La Provincial Party Committee reported to the Minister of National Defense and the delegation on the results of implementing socio-economic development tasks; consolidating national defense and security; building the Party; and strengthening the political system of the province in the past period. Notably, the province has led and directed the implementation of three national target programs; prioritized resources to focus on building Son La into a center for high-tech agricultural development; a center for agricultural product processing; a center for dairy, fruit, medicinal plants; and a tourism center of the Northwest region. The province has actively implemented key transportation projects; and focused on flood prevention, response, and recovery efforts. The economy has grown considerably; the size of the economy has increased steadily over the years; and the economic structure continues to shift positively, in the right direction, and in line with the province's economic development goals.

The Minister of National Defense delivered a speech at the working session.

Emphasis is placed on Party building and strengthening the political system; upholding the principles of leadership, maintaining high levels of unity and solidarity, and strictly implementing regulations on setting examples, especially by the heads of Party committees, government agencies, and organizations. The management and operational capacity of governments at all levels is continuously improving. Internal political security, mass mobilization work, and the activities of the Fatherland Front and other political and social organizations continue to be reformed, grounded in reality, and effective.

The leadership should focus on strengthening propaganda and raising awareness among cadres, Party members, and all segments of the population about the crucial strategic importance of national defense and security. They should also effectively summarize the Central Committee Resolution No. 8, 11th Congress, on the Strategy for National Defense in the New Situation; and conduct a five-year review of the implementation of Government Decree No. 21/2019/ND-CP dated February 22, 2019, on defense zones… Furthermore, they should closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and direct all forces to actively and proactively prepare for the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Comrade Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of National Defense regarding support for the province in eliminating temporary housing and several tasks related to national defense and security...

The Provincial Party Secretary and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee expressed their opinions at the meeting.

The Minister of National Defense highly appreciated the achievements that the Party Committee, government, military, and people of all ethnic groups in Son La province have strived to achieve in various fields. Analyzing the advantages and difficulties facing the country in the task of building and defending the Fatherland, he requested the Son La Provincial Party Committee to continue to pay attention to leading and directing the effective implementation of the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system to be clean and strong; focusing on remote, strategically important areas for national defense, and newly reorganized and adjusted areas within the province.

Continue to effectively implement Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022, of the Politburo on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Northern Midlands and mountainous region until 2030, with a vision to 2045. Focus on implementing the Son La provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Effectively implement national target programs, especially the socio-economic development program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Improve the quality of education and training in national defense and security knowledge for all target groups. Focus on building a strong and comprehensive provincial armed force, ensuring high combat readiness and the ability to respond promptly and effectively to all situations, preventing passivity and surprise. Pay attention to consolidating, building, and improving the quality of operation of military Party branches at the commune, ward, and town levels. Closely integrate socio-economic development with the consolidation of national defense and security, creating a stable and favorable environment for the socio-economic development of the locality.

Actively cooperate and link with other regions; further improve foreign affairs, especially with our neighbor Laos, to build a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and sustainably developing border region. Promptly address complex issues related to security and order, combat crime, especially drug trafficking and human trafficking, and maintain stability in the area.

Also at the Conference, the Minister of National Defense addressed the proposals and recommendations of the Son La Provincial Party Committee regarding military and national defense work, including mechanisms and policies; investment in construction; and investment in equipment for the provincial armed forces.

Source: Son La Newspaper