President Trần Đại Quang delivers speech at a meeting  with representatives of the Department of Operations of the General Staff on the 72th anniversary of the Việt Nam People’s Army (December 22). — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI – Unexpected regional and international developments require Vietnamese citizens to stay united and determined--and to keep eyes open for ill intentions of hostile forces, President Trần Đại Quang said yesterday.

President Quang made the remark at a meeting with representatives of the Department of Operations of the General Staff on the 72th anniversary of the Việt Nam People’s Army (December 22).

He said the regional and international situations will continue to develop unexpectedly and complexly, directly affecting Việt Nam and bringing about both opportunities and challenges.

“Though the country’s general strength as well as international prestige have increased, challenges still lie ahead,” he said. “Such circumstance requires the whole Party, people and army to unite and to successfully realise goals and duties set forth by the 12^th National Party Congress Resolution early this year.” 

“We need to take full advantage of favourable opportunities to reach targets set for the national industrialisation, modernisation, and international integration,” the President said.

“Additionally, we should not take eyes off malicious and cunning intentions of hostile forces, as well as considerable challenges posing negative impacts on national construction and development.”

To that end, President Quang called for the Department of Operations staff to further harness themselves in order to fully understand situations and proactively make consultations on urgent and long-term issues which are crucial in the national construction and defence.

Speaking at the event, the President hailed generations of Department staff for their contributions to the national liberation, unification, construction and development as well as to building up a modern and elite army.

He also applauded the veterans who have always taken the lead in movements in the community, disseminating the country’s historical tradition for young generations.

Since its establishment on September 7, 1945, the Department of Operations have well performed its consulting function, which was demonstrated through the wars of resistance against the French colonialists and US imperialists, and the defending wars along the southwestern and northern borders, as well as the national construction and defence cause.

For their outstanding achievements, the Department has twice been granted the People’s Armed Force Hero title.

He hoped the veterans would uphold the traditional spirit of “President Hồ Chí Minh’s soldiers” to live a happy, healthy and useful life and to continue contributing their effort and intelligence to the national development and defence.

In early 1944, President Hồ Chí Minh stressed the need for the Party Committee to take leadership over the nation’s main armed force, which was then known as the Việt Nam Armed Propaganda Unit for National Liberation.

The establishment of the armed propaganda unit was of historical significance to the nation’s army. That’s why the December 22, 1944 was chosen as the founding day of the Việt Nam People’s Army. To mark the day, a range of activities will take place nationwide--including photo exhibitions and seminars. — VNS