Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc made a speech at the political-military conference held in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday praised the defence ministry’s performance in the first six months of this year, especially for its contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a political-military conference in Hà Nội yesterday, PM Phúc said the army has teamed up with the police and other forces to swiftly respond to any arising issues in the prevention and control of the pandemic as well as the protection of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Delivering a report at the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Văn Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, said the Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have completed all assigned tasks in the first six months of this year, especially the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control implemented measures to strictly control border gates and trails, preparing forces to ready quarantine sites and medical checks for more than 70,000 people.

The military exercise on prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic took place at 227 sites with the participation of more than 22,000 soldiers and people and the Military Medical University successfully researched and manufactured a SARS-CoV-2 virus rapid test kit.

The ministry also mobilised more than 26,000 cadres, soldiers, militia and self-defence force and nearly 700 vehicles to mitigate the consequences of nearly 500 natural disasters, droughts, forest fires and saltwater intrusion and respond to cases of serious illness at sea and on remote islands.

The ministry has effectively implemented foreign defence activities as 2020 ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Bilateral and multilateral defence co-operation among ASEAN countries and the world has been brought to a new level, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

At the same time, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence instructed military agencies and units to implement Party resolutions in regards to military tasks, national defence and Party building in the army.

At the conference, the Prime Minister said the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence needed to focus on updating and forecasting situations to give timely advice to the Party and State and firmly safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, especially at sea.

The Government leader also requested the military intensify collaborations with police and other forces in the fight against crime, smuggling and trade fraud along the border and at sea to ensure social security and order, and to be ready to take part in search and rescue missions. — VNS