United in protecting the sea and islands.

When the "Party's will" aligns with the "people's will," it will awaken national pride and self-respect, forming a broad political front of the entire nation focused on the homeland's seas and islands, uniting to protect the nation's seas and islands.

Vietnam is facing severe challenges regarding the protection of maritime security and sovereignty , the exploitation of resources and the protection of marine ecosystems, and marine environmental pollution. Therefore, protecting maritime security, islands, and the environment, and responding to climate change are crucial tasks for which every Vietnamese person has a responsibility.

Building a strong foundation of public support at sea.

Over the years, amidst complex developments in the world and the region, under the leadership of the Party and the State, our military and people have actively carried out activities to protect national sovereignty and interests at sea. We have proactively, resolutely, and persistently fought using appropriate measures to protect our maritime sovereignty, islands, and airspace, and maintain peace and stability for national development.

Currently, the overall strength of the nation, and our position and power in the seas and islands, have increased significantly. The people's defense posture, people's security, and "people's support" in the seas and islands are constantly being consolidated and strengthened. The forces managing and protecting the seas and islands are being gradually built and developed, becoming increasingly stronger. In particular, the Vietnam People's Navy, prioritized by the Party and State for investment, is rapidly modernizing, growing and becoming a core force in protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands. The Navy, along with other law enforcement forces at sea (Coast Guard, Border Guard, Fisheries Surveillance, etc.), are undeterred by difficulties, hardships, and dangers, steadfastly holding their ground in the face of adversity. Especially when facing complex and tense situations, the forces at sea always uphold the resolute will of "as long as there are people, there will be seas and islands," skillfully, resolutely, and persistently protecting our sovereignty.

However, despite fundamental advantages, the task of protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands currently faces difficulties and challenges. The international and regional situation is rapidly evolving, complex, and unpredictable, with new factors emerging that directly impact the situation in the East Sea. Strategic competition between major powers and territorial disputes over maritime sovereignty and islands among countries in the region are intense, posing a potential risk of conflict and instability. Particularly recently, China has continuously engaged in illegal activities in the East Sea, infringing upon Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

In this situation, we need to unify our approach of "adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles," and continue to "steadfastly uphold strategic principles while being flexible in tactics" in protecting our maritime and island sovereignty. Measures to protect national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over our maritime and island areas must be implemented vigorously and resolutely, but also with utmost flexibility and adaptability, in accordance with specific conditions, circumstances, and times; taking the firm protection of national sovereignty and interests, and maintaining peace and stability for national development as the ultimate goal.

The Vietnamese Navy is constantly growing stronger, persistently and resolutely defending the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands. (Photo: Quang Liem)

Harnessing the power of the times

The strength to protect maritime and island sovereignty is a comprehensive national strength, encompassing and closely coordinating all fronts and areas of activity: defense, security, economy, politics, diplomacy, and law... Among these, defense and security strength plays a particularly important role.

Therefore, it is necessary to build a solid national defense and people's security posture at sea, with a strategic deployment of forces that is deep, interconnected, and ready to transform into a people's war posture when conflict arises. Simultaneously, we must build strong forces for managing and protecting the sea and islands, reserve forces, and maritime militia and self-defense forces with high overall quality and combat effectiveness, with the Navy as the core force. Only by maximizing the combined and concentrated strength of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army can we ensure the ability to protect sovereignty and maintain long-term peace and stability at sea. Practical experience shows that to protect our maritime sovereignty, we must promote self-reliance and combine national strength with the strength of the times.

Our people have long observed the saying, "Internal harmony leads to external peace." This is not only a profound lesson in interpersonal relationships and conduct within each family but also for the nation as a whole. National history has proven that when internal unity prevails and the people are harmonious, the borders and territories remain secure. However, when there is discord between superiors and subordinates, and the people are divided, foreign powers will inevitably covet and invade. Therefore, in protecting maritime sovereignty and islands, "a peaceful sea leads to a peaceful shore." Only by protecting the peace of the sea and islands can the country achieve stability and development. Conversely, "a peaceful shore leads to a peaceful sea." A stable and developing nation creates the strength and capacity to protect its maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to effectively promote awareness, understanding, responsibility, and duty among citizens regarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the sea and islands. Strengthening trust and fostering consensus and high levels of agreement within the political system and among the people regarding the Party and State's policies related to economic development and the protection of maritime sovereignty and islands is crucial. When the "Party's will" aligns with the "people's will," it will create invincible strength, crushing the schemes of hostile forces exploiting maritime issues to undermine our country; simultaneously, it will create domestic political stability for socio-economic development.

And that will awaken the pride, self-respect, traditions, and indomitable will of the nation, forming a broad political front of the people nationwide directed towards the sea and islands of the homeland, working together to protect the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Building a sea of ​​peace and friendship.

Currently, Vietnam recognizes that resolving disputes in the South China Sea is a long-term issue that cannot be rushed, and advocates for resolving disputes through peaceful means and adherence to international law.

Based on this, we need to strengthen the Party's foreign affairs, state diplomacy, and defense diplomacy with countries in the region and countries with adjacent or overlapping maritime areas to build trust, foster mutual understanding, reduce tensions, and promptly coordinate to resolve disagreements and emerging issues at sea. This will create a favorable environment for protecting maritime sovereignty and islands, prevent conflicts, avoid isolation of the country regarding the East Sea issue, and work with other countries to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and stable maritime region in the long term.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bien-dao/dong-long-bao-ve-bien-dao-20210114201617942.htm