Over the past 80 years, the Vietnamese people have met every challenge, scoring one victory after another and gaining the recognition of the international community.

Professor Guyuan Yang, Former Director of the Centre for Political Research and the World Economy under the Chinese Institute of Science and Society has attributed Vietnam’s success to the CPV’s clear-sighted leadership.

VOV: This year Vietnam has celebrated the 80^th anniversary of the CPV. Looking back on the past, what is your assessment of the CPV’s leadership role and contributions to the process of national construction and protection, especially during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process?

Professor Yang: After 80 years of construction and growth, Vietnam has reached its goal of gaining independence and democracy and is advancing steadily towards socialism. The CPV has led the Vietnamese people to such glorious victories as the successful August 1945 Revolution, the successful resistance wars against the French and US invaders, and total liberation of southern Vietnam to achieve national unification.

At the sixth National Party Congress in 1986, Vietnam began a comprehensive renewal process to integrate into the regional and world economies. Vietnam has now become an important member of the international community with some internationally recognized achievements. Vietnam’s economic growth rate ranks second in Asia. From being a food importer, Vietnam has become one of the world’s largest rice exporters. These achievements are due to the CPV’s leadership and valuable support from the Vietnamese people and other working people all over the world.

VOV: What do you think of Vietnamese Party building in recent years?

Professor Yang: The CPV has made great progress in promoting democracy in the Party and in society. In recent years, I have visited Vietnam many times and learnt that the question-and-answer sessions of the Government and National Assembly  are often broadcast live on television and radio, to let listeners follow and evaluate the proceedings. This shows that Vietnam has made significant progress in improving the political system. I know that at the upcoming congress the CPV will devise measures to further expand democracy in the Party and to renovate and consolidate the whole political system.

Everyone in China is very pleased at Vietnam’s achievements in the renewal process over the past 20 years.

VOV: What’s your opinion on Vietnam’s efforts to fight corruption?

Mr Yang: This is not a new issue. Through their history, the Communist Parties of Vietnam and China have been concerned about this issue. Even when carrying out reform and renovation, the two countries have seen corruption, causing dissatisfaction among their citizens. Realising the danger corruption poses to the Party’s prestige and survival, the two Parities have implemented a series of strict measures to fight corruption.

I think the two Parties should continue to exchange experiences in anti-corruption, political reform, and promoting democracy. The Communist Parties of China and Vietnam are taking on some heavy tasks. In the early 90s, the world socialist movement suffered a serious setback. Whether socialism can go from these crises to boom times again depends on the Party’s leadership skills.

VOV: Thank you very much.