Apart from protecting the country’s territorial waters and continental shelf, the Vietnam People's Navy has actively taken part in developing the national economy, said Rear Admiral Nguyen Van Tinh, Political Commissar of the Vietnam People's Navy, in an interview grated to Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).
VOV: What targets has the Vietnam People's Navy set to fully tap the potential of islands and the sea, and create fresh impetus for national development?
Mr Tinh:
Making use of advantages from sea is the world’s current trend. Many countries in Southeast Asia have strategies on marine economic development. The Vietnamese Government has also issued a resolution on marine economic development. This is a good chance for national development. Apart from protecting the nation’s territorial waters and continental shelf, the Vietnam People's Navy has actively taken part in developing the national economy. We are organizing and completing fishing fleets, especially offshore-fishing, as well as promoting aquaculture activities in coastal areas and the Spratly archaeology. Naval forces are also ready to play a key role in offshore-fishing so that residents in coastal areas from northern to southern regions can improve their daily lives and further contribute to national economic development.
There is great potential in the East Sea and Vietnam’s territorial waters. The country has taken initial steps to exploit its huge potential. In the current process of national industrialization and modernization to develop Vietnam into a powerful country in the region in terms of marine economy following the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress, it is essential to encourage the participation of agencies at all levels, particularly ministries relevant to marine issues. Developing the national economy and exploiting marine potential are important tasks, therefore they have to closely cooperate with each other and comprehensively implement the tasks in various fields of marine development with concentrated and effective instructions.
VOV:
Could you elaborate on the Navy’s role in common patrol work in coordination with other navy forces in the region?
Mr Tinh:
Joining efforts with the entire army and the State agencies, the Vietnam People's Navy has successfully implemented its external relations tasks. Through common patrol work in areas next to sea areas of regional countries, the Vietnam People's Navy has cooperated with navy forces of many regional countries and directly organized common patrol activities with the Thai Royal Navy, the Cambodian Royal Navy and the Chinese navy forces.
The Vietnam People’s Navy has also set up hotlines with such countries as the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Thailand. The aim is to create favourable conditions for naval forces from regional countries to further understand each other and also help elevate the role and prestige of the Vietnamese people’s navy in the region and the world, contributing to maintaining peaceful and stable territorial waters.
VOV: The Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) is drawing near. What preparations will the People’s Navy make to bring warm feelings from the mainland to soldiers on the island?
Mr Tinh:
The People’s Navy often operates in an extensive area. Therefore, every Tet, the Navy High Command has plans for units to prepare for a happy, safe and economical Tet. To help the forces in the islands enjoy Tet, the navy has drawn up plans to ensure material and spiritual life for soldiers during the Tet festival. Thorough preparations for Tet have been made on islands lying scattered from north to south. The Navy has also earmarked funds to support forces on remote islands. Some localities have also presented gifts to soldiers garrisoned on islands, encouraging them to fulfill their tasks of protecting the sea and island sovereignty.
VOV
: Thank you very much.
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In 2006, the People’s Navy fulfilled their tasks of protecting Vietnam’s sea, island and continental shelf. In particular, the navy actively participated in rescue work during the times typhoons Chanchu, Xangsane and Durian hit the country. At the same time, enterprises of the navy made big profits last year and delivered VND200 billion to the state budget, contributing to developing the sea economy. |
