Restructuring the apparatus in association with sustainable development: Cao Bang proactively strives in the new era

The organizational arrangement in Cao Bang is not only an administrative issue but also directly related to socio-economic development, maintaining national defense and security at the border and promoting the province's unique potential and strengths. The reporter had an interview with Comrade Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation to clarify the province's orientation and political determination regarding this content.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Cao Bang Province Quan Minh Cuong

Reporter: Dear Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, if the restructuring of the apparatus is carried out systematically and thoroughly, it will not only help to streamline the administrative apparatus but also be the first step for a new stage of development - more effective and sustainable. So, what key points has Cao Bang province identified to renew itself, in line with the development requirements in the current period?

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong: First of all, it must be affirmed that the policy of streamlining the apparatus and making it operate effectively, especially merging some provinces, eliminating the district level, rearranging and merging communes to build two-level local governments - is an extremely meaningful and important revolution in the current historical period. This can be considered a historic breakthrough! Compared to the renovation in 1986, from a centralized, subsidized mechanism to a market mechanism, we are now carrying out a vigorous renovation, even more drastic and courageous in my personal opinion.

Firstly , reorganizing the central agencies to be streamlined and effective, closely linked to preventing and fighting corruption, negativity, preventing self-evolution, self-transformation, preventing degradation, closely linked to the practice of fighting waste, with the development of science and technology and innovation, daring to think, daring to do, developing the digital economy , not just administrative arrangements... but all of these contents will support and promote each other, creating a position, a comprehensive strength, from organizational issues, to people, to science and technology, management mechanisms...

With high political determination, with the leadership of the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, and General Secretary To Lam, along with the determination of the Government, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and the participation of the National Assembly... we need to deeply perceive this issue, be of one mind and one heart, and successfully carry out the noble tasks in the current period.

Second , for Cao Bang, 4 years ago, the province proactively rearranged from more than 199 communes to 161 communes; it was the only province in the country to reduce 3 districts without implementing the policy of abolishing the district level.

Up to now, implementing Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW of the Central Committee on a number of issues to continue to innovate and reorganize the apparatus of the political system to be streamlined and operate effectively and efficiently, the province has followed the correct procedures, asked for opinions from lower-level local Party committees and authorities, widely solicited opinions from the people on the electronic information page, and received millions of comments... It is expected that the provincial model after the reorganization will have 56 communes and wards. When merging communes, establishing criteria, the merger must be suitable to the psychological characteristics and traditions of the people and must be more favorable for socio-economic development.

Cao Bang, with a terrain stretching over 333 km of border, the merger of communes must also strengthen military and security strength to ensure the preservation of the borderland of the Fatherland. Furthermore, Cao Bang has the characteristic of 96% ethnic minorities, when merging, it is necessary to ensure the stability of material life but also ensure the promotion of cultural traditions. The spiritual life of the people must be improved and comprehensively developed, especially the customs and customary laws of high value, from preserving language, preserving costumes, cuisine, and very important social institutions...

In addition, economic factors are also highly valued. Merging and consolidating communes must ensure a better life for the people. Of course, it depends on many factors, but when merging, convenient transportation must be taken into account. Convenient transportation means administrative procedures must be improved, digital knowledge and administrative reform must be more strongly socialized. Digital government must be knowledgeable about technology to handle work online, especially after the merger, there are communes up to 150 ^km2 wide, in some places the distance from the beginning of the commune to the end of the commune is up to 50 - 60 km.

With the characteristic of over 85% of the area being mountainous and forested, with difficult and dangerous travel..., the arrangement must both ensure economic development, reduce travel difficulties, maintain sovereignty, border security, ensure spiritual life, preserve national cultural identity... In particular, Cao Bang is the homeland of the revolution - that is the pride of the people here! Therefore, the arrangement of communes must be extremely careful, multi-dimensional, scientific, in order to consolidate the political system to be more united and stronger. Must be receptive, listen to the opinions of the people.

Reporter: During the implementation process, there will certainly be many difficulties, especially concerns and turmoil among cadres, civil servants and public employees. Could you share how the provincial leaders are working to create consensus and promote the spirit of innovation and dedication throughout the political system?

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong : This is a difficult question and a very complicated problem, because for cadres, there is a whole process of striving to achieve a certain position. Older comrades may be willing to retire early or take a lower position to rest. But there are comrades who not only think and worry normally but also feel disadvantaged, even lost, even though they still admit that the merger is correct and scientific. However, that is only an isolated case, but basically, through grasping the situation, consulting the opinions of cadres, party members, and key cadres, most of them agree, almost no opposing opinions. In particular, even comrades who are provincial party committee members, holding the position of district-level Secretary, all expressed their agreement and willingness to become commune Secretaries - according to the new government organization. The most important issue is the honor of the cadre. I think the problem lies in awareness, if cadres perceive correctly, they are ready to act correctly. The vast majority of our party members have the correct perception.

In 2025, Cao Bang will continue to effectively implement the National Data Strategy to 2030 in the province; improve the quality and efficiency of providing and using online public services; upgrade and complete digital platforms and shared information systems of the province to ensure connection and data sharing with platforms and shared information systems of the Government, ministries and branches through data integration and sharing platforms; strengthen the work of ensuring information security and network security of information systems and databases, organize practical exercises to ensure network information security, etc.

We must step up propaganda, but propaganda is not just empty talk, the problem is how to see the meaning, importance, and true value - if we do not make this revolution, as General Secretary To Lam said: " We will fall behind 30-50 years compared to other countries". This is an opportunity for us to streamline the apparatus, operate effectively, eliminate intermediate levels, and promote all labor resources, especially the intelligence of cadres and party members. Through this, people with professional qualifications and enthusiasm will be used in accordance with their abilities and strengths. We must take the goal of serving the people and the noble cause of the Party to be able to change!

Reporter: With the characteristics of a border province, playing an important role in the national defense and security strategy, and possessing many potentials for socio-economic development, especially border gate economy, tourism, agriculture... Could you please tell us about the province's orientation and determination to unleash the potential and combined strength of the locality in the coming time?

Provincial Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong: Cao Bang identifies 4 pillars of development.

First , develop border gate economy, promote cross-border trade activities.

Second , Cao Bang has beautiful landscapes, famous landscapes... will develop tourism economy, especially tourism economy associated with revolutionary tradition, associated with tourism to preserve cultural values of ethnic groups, ethnic minorities, and protect nature. Cao Bang tourism has its own identity, not just purely modern tourism with delicious cuisine and relaxation. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the appropriate form.

Third , is agricultural development. Although the agricultural area is small, there are many valuable medicinal plants. If research and development continue, it will be a strength of Cao Bang. Cao Bang also has many delicious agricultural products, which can produce high-value agriculture.

Another key point is the development of mining. Cao Bang has many mines with large reserves. With the development of science and technology, there will be deep mining and processing.

In particular, Cao Bang will develop criteria to strive to become the province with the happiest index in Vietnam. In particular, focusing on 7 criteria: Strengthening health care; basic education; less crime; peaceful and harmonious life, fresh natural climate; developing cultural life; people's satisfaction with the government; reducing corruption index.

Reporter: The Dong Dang (Lang Son) - Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway project is expected to create a vital international expressway network, connecting international trade, enhancing competitiveness, promoting socio-economic development and strengthening national defense and security of localities and regions. Specifically, for Cao Bang, how will this project be a driving force for development, sir?

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong: The Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway project has a total length of 121.06 km, divided into 2 phases with a total investment of 22,690 billion VND. After completion, this expressway will shorten the travel time from Cao Bang to Hanoi and vice versa, from 6 - 7 hours to about 3.5 hours.

It can be said that the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway will truly open up a "golden future" for Cao Bang province. This is the main road, when put into use, together with the border economic zones built in a modern, smart way, applying developed science and technology, it will create breakthroughs for Cao Bang in the future. When traffic is convenient, cheaper goods will be brought from other localities and in the new context, China increases the export and import of goods through Vietnam's border gates, global trade competition will increase exponentially. Even the border economic clusters will become the initial processing places, especially agricultural products.

The road to creating opportunities and golden potential must have “golden customers”. When traffic is convenient, it will attract more tourists, investors will also cooperate more… Anticipating this, the province has prepared many plans for the development of industry and tourism in the future…

Although Cao Bang is a latecomer in socio-economic development, with the attention, direction and support of the Central Government, along with the determination and efforts of the local government and the support and companionship of the people, Cao Bang will have the "opportunity to take the lead", apply new science and technology, and inherit lessons learned from other localities, to break through and develop.

Reporter: Can you share about your determination to overcome difficulties to "create a miracle" and soon complete this highway project?

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong: The starting point of the route is at the intersection of Tan Thanh border gate area (Lang Son), connecting to the section connecting Huu Nghi - Chi Lang expressway with Tan Thanh border gate and Coc Nam border gate, Lang Son province. The end point is at the intersection of the road to Tra Linh border gate economic zone and National Highway 34, belonging to Tra Linh border gate economic zone.

Project implementation period, phase 1 from 2020 - 2026; phase 2 after 2026. Phase 2 of the project will expand the entire 93.35 km of phase 1, at the same time, build a new 27.71 km of highway connecting to Tra Linh border gate. The Prime Minister agreed in principle to invest in phase 2 of the Dong Dang - Tra Linh highway with a scale of 4 lanes under the PPP method, applying the same mechanism as phase 1.

The highway is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The implementation of this project can also be said to be a “ path of thorns and challenges” , the terrain is divided so the construction method is very difficult. However, the more difficult it is, the more determined we must be!

Local authorities, investors, contractors and people of the two provinces (Cao Bang and Lang Son) need to continue to make every effort with the spirit of "only talking about doing, not talking about retreating" , "speedily" deploying work before the milestone of starting construction of phase 2 and connecting routes on the occasion of National Day September 2, 2025, as well as the technical opening of phase 1 in December 2025.

This is not only a national key project but also a symbol of the province's aspiration to rise up and its commitment to the Government.

Reporter: Thank you very much, comrade!

According to Cao Bang Newspaper

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sap-xep-bo-may-gan-voi-phat-trien-ben-vung-cao-bang-chu-dong-vuon-minh-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-post801034.html