(VOVworld)- President Truong Tan Sang and Ho Chi Minh City’s National Assembly delegation met with local voters on Monday. The voters praised the National Assembly deputies for their open discussions on shortcomings in criminal procedural activities.

They highlighted socio-economic achievements and also pointed out difficulties in agricultural production, slow administrative reforms and a high rate of public debt. In response to voters’ concern about the defense of national sovereignty over the sea and islands and protection of Vietnamese fishermen, President Sang reaffirmed that national sovereignty was sacred. He said Vietnam opposed wrongdoing in the East Sea and is carrying out several measures to defend national sovereignty. Sang said the Vietnamese Party and State always supported and facilitated fishermen to earn their living: “Caring for fishermen’s lives is a major focus of Vietnam’s maritime strategy. I have visited a number of coastal provinces and seen an increase in the number of newly-built ships. The National Assembly and the government have invested several trillion VND to help fishermen build new ships with preferential loans. If their ships are attacked by other ships from China or other countries, they will receive prompt assistance. We pay special attention to this matter”.