(VOVworld) – The 8th Plenum of the Party Central Committee in Hanoi has discussed a number of key national issues. Although these issues are not new, they were placed in the context of unpredictable complications in the region and the world. We bring you the gist of an article by General Director of Radio the Voice of Vietnam Nguyen Dang Tien on the plenum’s decisions.
In regard to socio-economic development: The plenum clarified a number of issues including the stability of the macro-economy, risks of inflation, bad debts, the real estate market, ineffective investment, and efforts to improve the investment and business environment and remove difficulties for businesses. The meeting discussed restructuring the economy, changing the growth model, ensuring social security and welfare, and improving people’s living standards.
In regard to fundamental and comprehensive educational reform: Reforming education and training is of strategic importance. Education achievements since the renewal process have positively impacted social life, but, shortcomings still remain. Education has become one of Vietnam’s priority policies in the new phase of development. Comprehensive reform of education should begin with a change in ideology, targets, content, teaching methods, and implementation mechanisms. It requires the involvement of the Party, the State, families, the community, and society. The meeting confirmed that education investment should be prioritized in socio-economic development programs as it helps to improve human resources. Efforts should be made to improve education quality, combine theory with practice, promote family education, ensure compatibility among education levels and training methods, and encourage life-long learning.
In regard to revisions to the 1992 Constitution: Revising the 1992 Constitution is the special task of the Party, State and the whole political system because the Constitution is the fundamental political-legal document and code for the State to adjust major social relations and because the Constitution reflects the nature of the State and regime. In the course of history, reacting to features, context and development of the nation, the Party and State revise the Constitution to embrace the nature and social development of each period. The Plenum of the Party Central Committee discussed in detail every chapter and article of the draft, so the Drafting Committee for Constitutional Revisions could complete and submit the draft to the 6th session of the 13th National Assembly for approval.
In regard to national development strategy: The plenum touched on Vietnam’s national defense strategy in the new context. Tien says the Vietnamese Party, army and people share the belief that in any circumstance, it is imperative to defend national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; protect the Party, State, people, regime and national interests; and safeguard political security, law and order. Despite rapid and complicated changes around the world and in the region, especially the situation in the East Sea, sabotage attempts by hostile forces, the negative impacts of the market economy and weakness in leadership and management, the Vietnamese Party and State have maintained their viewpoint and put in place appropriate policies to defend the nation and secure a peaceful and stable environment, in which to develop the country.
Tien stressed that the 8th plenum of the Party Central Committee has ended with major and necessary decisions to deal with developments in the world, a world of opportunities and challenges, stability and contingency, partners and adversaries, and mixed relations between partners and adversaries. Every country lives in a world of keen economic competition and scientific and technological advances mixed with military plots and attempts threatening stability, growth and peace.
Tien says the plenum highlighted that the entire Vietnamese Party, army and people must be determined to unite to create internal strength-the strength of wisdom and people’s determination and the firm foundation of the regime.