HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng met on Saturday with constituents in the capital city’s districts of Ba Đình, Tây Hồ and Hoàn Kiếm in preparation for the third session of the 14th National Assembly (NA).

The capital’s constituents applauded the leadership and management of the Party Central Committee, Politburo and Government, saying their efforts have created positive changes in social spheres.

Many expressed their belief in the Party’s determination to combat corruption and other negative phenomena, saying recent disciplinary measures against several senior officials proved that there is no “prohibited” areas and discrimination on the grounds of positions and rankings.

Hailing the constructive opinions of voters, the Party leader informed them of the main contents of the third sitting of the 14th National Assembly.

“Law building is one of the core and fundamental tasks of the NA. The legislature is not only the highest State power organ but also the highest representative agency of the people,” Trọng said.

“Therefore, it needs to include representatives from all social strata as well as ethnic groups and religions, to ensure the voice of the entire people in making laws.”

The number of specialised lawmakers should be increased, experience from foreign countries should be learned and public opinions should be taken into account, he noted. He thanked the constituents for advocating the Party Central Committee’s deeds to build a stronger and more transparent Party.

The prevention of corruption, negative phenomena and wastefulness in recent time has seen major strides, especially in 2016 when many serious cases were brought to light, he added. But he agreed with constituents that the fight against corruption and negative phenomena has not yet lived up to public expectations, and should be stepped up.

“There are a lot of things to do. This is an arduous struggle that requires patience and high determination,” he said, adding that the Vietnamese law and policies are strict but also humane.

Regarding the State apparatus and personnel, he said the Party Central Committee will hold a conference to discuss how to evaluate officials.

Pertaining to the punishment of Party members found to have violated the law, the Party chief said it is essential to increase vigilance over provocative information on whether the punishment is hard or soft.

The Party Central Committee has considered the punishment calmly, objectively, comprehensively, and thoroughly and will push ahead with the disciplinary measures according to law, responsibility and morality.

He also took note of the voters’ concerns about other issues, such as measures to assist the consumption of farm produce, environmental protection, State-run businesses restructuring, public and bad debts.

PM with Hải Phòng voters

Also on Saturday, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and NA deputies from the northern city of Hải Phòng met with voters in Đồ Sơn District to answer questions on economic development and anti-corruption measures ahead of the legislature’s third plenary session.

Most local voters hailed the efforts and good performance of the Prime Minister and other cabinet members in managing and operating the national economy, ensuring defence and security, and increasing investor confidence.

They expressed approval of anti-corruption measures taken by the Central Steering Committee for Corruption Combat and Prevention, the National Assembly and the Government, especially the role played by the head of the steering committee - Party General Secretary Trọng, in directing the handling of 12 serious corruption cases in 2017.

On local issues, the voters asked the Prime Minister to consider adjusting the city’s development plan and assisting the locality in carrying out projects important to the city’s development.

Phúc welcomed the voters’ opinions on anti-corruption work, stressing that NA deputies and he himself will reflect the voters’ aspirations to the legislature and the Government, in order to increase the effectiveness of corruption and wastefulness prevention, and the settlement of serious corruption cases.

On behalf of the Hải Phòng NA delegation, the PM explained to local voters the mechanisms and policies to support the implementation of a number of projects in the city, especially the coastal road project to connect six provinces and cities in the north, which the PM described as a vital contribution to Hải Phòng’s industry, agriculture, services and tourism development. — VNS