The presidium of the conference included: General Phan Van Giang, member of the Politburo, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defense; General Nguyen Trong Nghia, member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Party Committee, permanent member of the Central Military Commission and head of the General Political Department of the Vietnamese People’s Army; Professor and Doctor Nguyen Xuan Thang, former member of the Politburo, former director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, and president of the Central Theoretical Council; and other members of the Central Committee.
Present at the seminar were former members of the Politburo and former ministers of National Defense: Generals Pham Van Tra and Ngo Xuan Lich; current and former leaders of the Ministry of National Defense; officials from various central and local departments, ministries, and agencies; deputy chiefs of staff, deputy directors of the general political department; as well as officials and commanders from agencies and units related to the Ministry of National Defense.
The workshop aimed to clarify notable achievements, results, shortcomings, and limitations in building a national defense system based on the participation of the entire population in recent years. It also sought to propose new interpretations and ways of thinking about the content, main solutions, and goals of constructing a strong and modern national defense system involving the whole population.
Results obtained during the workshop, selected, synthesized, and provided by agencies and units, serve as scientific evidence for developing reports for the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense. These reports advise and recommend to the Party and the state the organization and implementation of tasks to meet the requirements of constructing and firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese homeland in the new era.
The conference brought together over 400 delegates, including generals, experts, and scientists from military and non-military backgrounds. The organizing committee selected and published 70 articles in the conference proceedings. These articles, the result of thorough research and preparation, address unprecedented issues and accurately reflect the practical realities of establishing a comprehensive national defense system. They contribute to shedding light on theoretical and practical issues related to building a robust and modern national defense system in the global and regional context.
In his opening speech at the seminar, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that building a national defense system based on the participation of the entire population is the fundamental and essential principle of the Party’s defense and national protection policies. This system is built on the heritage and development of the tradition of “building the nation while defending it,” valuable lessons from the spirit of “a united nation, the entire people fighting the enemy,” the Vietnamese people’s will to “defend the nation before it is in danger,” and the innovative application of Marxist-Leninist theory and Ho Chi Minh’s thought on the role and strength of the masses and people’s war in nation-building and defense.
Our national defense is a system of popular defense under the authority of the Vietnam Communist Party, managed and implemented centrally and unified by the state, belonging to the people. It is based on the combined strength of the whole nation, the great national unity, combining national power with the imperatives of the times to strengthen national defense and the country’s defense capabilities, ensure that the country has the necessary strength to prevent and repel the risks of conflict and war, thwart all plots and subversive tactics of hostile forces, be ready to defeat aggressions of any scale and nature, firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the socialist Fatherland, protect the Party, the state, the people, and the socialist regime.
Over the years, the Party and the state have promulgated and directed the implementation of numerous policies, solutions, and conclusions on national defense, building a national defense system based on the entire population, meeting the requirements of national construction and defense.
We focus our efforts on building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and progressively modern popular army, some branches and forces of which will directly advance towards modernity; establishing a strong reserve force; and developing strong, extensive, and high-quality militias and self-defense forces. The overall power, competence level, and combat capabilities of the entire army are strengthened to meet the mission requirements in all circumstances.
The successes achieved in constructing a national defense system based on the participation of the entire population have confirmed the correctness of the Party’s and state’s strategic policies, as well as the unwavering political efforts and determination of the entire Party, the whole people, and the entire army; thereby creating a new position and strength in the cause of constructing and protecting the socialist Vietnamese homeland.
The global and regional situation continues to evolve rapidly, in a complex and unpredictable manner, creating many opportunities and significant challenges. Internally, revolutionary strategic decisions are being implemented, raising many new questions and requirements for the cause of national construction, development, and defense in this era of national progress.
Strategic competition between major powers, conflicts, wars, and political instability are increasing in many regions. The fourth industrial revolution, advances in military science and technology, and the application of artificial intelligence continue to profoundly influence all areas; new forms of warfare, new methods, and tactics are emerging in traditional and non-traditional spheres. Countries are adjusting their strategies: increasing defense budgets, engaging in increasingly intense arms races, and enhancing military capabilities through new generations of weapons.
In this context, the seminar aims to materialize the orientations and viewpoints of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam Communist Party regarding national defense and homeland protection; building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern popular army; and the firm protection of the Vietnamese socialist homeland in the current context. Delegates are asked to direct their discussions towards a deeper understanding of traditional values, experiences, and valuable lessons drawn from the construction of a popular national defense system during various periods; the achievements of forty years of reforms; and the Party’s orientations and policies in national defense and homeland protection to promote them in the process of building a strong and modern popular national defense system for the new era.
In his introductory report, General Nguyen Trong Nghia, a member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Communist Party, a permanent member of the Central Military Commission, and head of the General Political Department of the Vietnamese People’s Army, clearly stated: “The history of the construction and defense of the Vietnamese people’s nation has confirmed the following truth: ‘The strength to protect the homeland is first and foremost the strength of the people, of the entire nation.’ Under the leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party and President Ho Chi Minh, this truth has been assimilated, transmitted, and developed to become the guiding principles of building a national defense system linked to a popular security system, a national defense posture linked to a popular security posture, a posture mobilizing the heart and spirit of the people, creating an immense combined force that decisively contributed to the victory of the national liberation cause, the country’s reunification, and the unshakable protection of the socialist homeland of Vietnam.”
The workshop is expected to clarify the following points: the content and criteria for building a strong and modern national defense system; the development of new theoretical reflections and a better understanding of building a national defense system; the establishment of a “popular defense posture” and a great national unity; combining national defense strengthening with sustainable socio-economic development and enhancing the nation’s position; developing the potential of a strong and modern national defense system; and establishing a national defense posture linked to a popular security posture.
Clarifying the essential role that the Vietnamese People’s Army must continue to play as a central force in building a strong and modern national defense system. Proposing solutions to build a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern army, characterized by a “cohesive, efficient, and powerful” organization; implementing the directives of General Secretary To Lam regarding the “two unshakable principles, two strong initiatives, and two preventive measures” and the “five firm principles,” effectively ensuring the functions of combat forces, labor forces, and productive labor force, worthy of the title “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in this new era. Analyzing and explaining the role of the People’s Public Security in constructing a strong and modern national defense system, maintaining political security, social order, and safety, and responding promptly and effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
Building on new understanding and deep reflection, the presentations analyzed and clarified that constructing a strong and modern national defense system is an objective necessity, in line with recent developments in military and defense fields; a decisive advancement, a real leap forward to maximize overall national power; modern defense in terms of potential, forces, and strategic posture, with the construction of a modern popular army as the central pillar. It is about developing the overall potential of the national defense system, its political and spiritual potential, relying notably on a strong strategy of popular support; developing scientific and technological potential and the defense industry with a view to autonomy, self-sufficiency, intrinsic power, dual-use, and modernity. Emphasis is placed on achieving major breakthroughs in science and technology development and application, innovation, and digital transformation; mastering fundamental and key technologies while enhancing international cooperation.
In his closing remarks, Professor and Doctor Nguyen Xuan Thang declared: The scientific conference “Building a Strong and Modern National Defense System” has clarified the Party’s policies and orientations; the remarkable achievements and results obtained in building a national defense system in recent years; and proposed new interpretations of the content, objectives, methods, tasks, and main solutions to build a strong and modern national defense system in the future.
However, to achieve this, further research is necessary to clarify the meaning, content, and methods of building and defending the national defense system, linking them to methods of struggle and protection. It is also necessary to define evaluation criteria for a strong and modern national defense system. This involves synchronized implementation of tasks and solutions through programs, plans, projects, and missions, with appropriate mechanisms for mobilizing and allocating resources; mobilizing the combined forces of the entire Party, the entire people, all armed forces, and the entire political system; and proactively building a sustainable national defense through strategic autonomy. Maintaining a peaceful environment is crucial for firmly building and defending the Fatherland in this new era.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/xay-dung-tong-the-cac-tiem-luc-cua-nen-quoc-phong-toan-dan-post952732.html
