Coast Guard central to nat'l security

August 29, 2018 - 07:00

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân has described the Việt Nam Coast Guard as the core force protecting national security and maritime order and safety.

Marine police offer regular training on fishing regulations for seamen. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân has described the Việt Nam Coast Guard as the core force protecting national security and maritime order and safety.

Addressing a ceremony to mark 20 years of the Việt Nam Coast Guard in Hà Nội on Tuesday, the top legislator stressed the important role of Việt Nam’s seas and islands in national construction and defence.

The Party and State consistently pursued a policy of protecting and developing the sea-based economy, she said.

Citing the Maritime Strategy until 2020 and the Maritime Law, Ngân added that the National Assembly expected to adopt a Law on the Việt Nam Coast Guard during its upcoming sixth session.

To better fulfill its role, the Việt Nam Coast Guard should carry forward its achievements and overcome shortcomings, while seriously implementing the Party’s guidelines and policies on military and national defence, she said.

The NA chairwoman urged the force to work harder in order to improve the combat capacity of all-level Party committees and organisations, and raise the quality of personnel training.

The force also needed to focus on international co-operation and working with law enforcement forces and agencies from other countries to address sea-related issues, she said.

Over the years, the Việt Nam Coast Guard had prevented thousands of foreign vessels from violating Việt Nam’s waters, detected hundreds of trade fraud cases, and busted many major drug rings. The force had also provided support for fishermen in distress.

The Việt Nam Coast Guard has set up bilateral and multilateral ties, and hotlines with law enforcement forces from 20 countries in the region and the world at large, helping create an image of Việt Nam as a responsible nation in preserving maritime security, order and safety, and coping with non-traditional security challenges.

At the ceremony, NA Chairwoman Ngân presented a third-class Military Order to the Việt Nam Coast Guard in recognition of its achievements. — VNS

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