Continuing to push up socio-economic development, education and training renovation and firm national defence for Viet Nam’s everlasting existence

(Bqp.vn) - In the morning of October 9, 2013, after 10 days of intensive and serious working, the 8th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee fulfilled its agenda. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered the closing speech. The Communist Review introduces the full speech of the General Secretary.

General Secretary of the Party Nguyen Phu Trong at the closing session of the 8th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee. (Photo: CR)

Dear members of the Party Central Committee,

Dear participants,

After 10 days of intensive and serious working, the 8th Plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee fulfilled its agenda. Members of the Central Committee and participants with high sense of responsibility were engaged in democratic and frank discussion, contributed many clear-sighted and accurate inputs to reports, and programmes. The Political Bureau received these opinions to the maximum and explained issues of diverse opinions. The Central Committee approved with high unanimity the resolution of the plenum. To conclude the plenum, on behalf of the Politburo, may I present major results, emphasize and clarify some issues for agreement among leaders for implementation of the Plenum’s resolution.

First, in the spirit of looking straight into truth, considering issues objectively and scientifically, the plenum agreed to the statement on socio-economic status of the country, identified points of view and orientations and set out objectives, tasks and major solutions for 2014 and the two years 2014 and 2015. The Central Committee acknowledged, highly evaluated and commended efforts made by the Party, people and army over the past three years to adjust in time, effectively implement policies and measures to bring the country’s economy out of difficulties and challenges and achieve positive results in the right directions in different fields. The most prominent were inflation control and stabilization of macro economy. CPI decreased to 7% in 2013 from 18.13% in 2011. The financial and credit system has been operating safely and more stably. Interest rate has gradually decreased. Foreign currency reserve has risen and exchange rate has been stabilized. Export turnover has been relatively higher. Trade balance has been improved. Trade deficit was reduced to 0.4% in 2013 from 20% of the total export turnover in 2010. Public debts, Government debts and foreign debts of the country are within safe limit. The economy has step by step restored. Economic growth rate has been maintained at the average rate of 5.6% in three years of 2011 - 2013. In 2013 alone, the economic growth rate is forecasted to reach 5.4% (higher than that in 2012). Industrial production, construction, especially processing industry and manufacture has been improved. Agricultural production has maintained its growth. Services have achieved relatively high growth rate. In the first 9 months of 2013, the number of newly registered businesses rose to 10.8% and more than 11,000 businesses have resumed operation. Growth quality has also improved.

Given economic difficulties and State budget constraints, the Party and State have paid much attention to social and cultural development to ensure social security, national defense and security. The percentage of poor households has continued to decrease. The system of social insurance has developed synchronously with diversified forms for expanded targets. More than 98% of families with great merit to the country boast living standards equal to or higher than that of other people in the same residential areas. The number of people who are entitled to permanent social assistance increased to 2.5 million. The system of healthcare at grassroots level has continued to develop with positive changes in healthcare quality. Attention has been paid to information, communication, cultural activities, physical training and sport, to the movement of “The entire people are united to build cultural life” and the program of new rural development. Political security, and social safety have been maintained; national defense has been consolidated. National sovereignty and territorial integrity have been safeguarded. External relation activities have been promoted. The country’s position has been heightened. The implementation of the three strategic breakthroughs, renovation of growth model and restructure of the economy has received concern of the whole political system and has recorded initial achievements.

However, there are difficulties and great challenges to our country’s socio-economic development. Macro-economy is not firmly stabilized. There is high possibility of inflation return. Bad debts are still high. Credit organizations’ operation is not completely safe. State budget is limited. Real estate and stock markets are inactive. Production and business have faced with numerous difficulties. Many businesses dissolved, stopped operation or have been operating just for survival. Industrial growth rate has been slowed down. Lack of market and high production costs have hampered production and export of major agricultural products. Growth quality, productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy have been improved slowly and even decreased. Resource management and environment protection have also met with difficulties. Law and order and discipline have not been strictly observed. There are weaknesses and limitations in education and training, healthcare, culture and sport, and information and communication. The prevention and fight against corruption and waste fell short of objectives. Political security and social safety have still faced with complicated development with possible elements to instability. There are challenges to protection of national sovereignty. Crimes and social ills have become more complicated. The renovation of growth model, restructure of the economy and implementation of the three strategic breakthroughs have been slow and confronted with constraints. The overall program on restructure of the economy has not provided orientations for restructuring branches and fields at the national and regional scales for development of agriculture, and industry, particularly supporting industries.

On the basis of a deep analysis of domestic and international situation, forecast of development trends and possibilities, the Central Committee pointed out that in general it was necessary to persistently implement the overall objectives of the 11th Party Congress. More efforts should be made to achieve these objectives in the remaining two years of the 11th tenure (2014 - 2015) which are to continue stabilizing the macro economy, controlling inflation while removing obstacles for production and business to create a driving force and confidence of people and businesses.

The Central Committee requests the Government, ministries, branches and local authorities to implement synchronously tasks and solutions as set out in the conclusion of this plenum, develop plans to concretize and expedite the implementation of appropriate mechanism and policies. Special attention is given to implement synchronously tasks and solutions in renovating growth model, restructuring the economy and implementing the three strategic breakthroughs, considering it as a decisive factor to the cause of fast and stable development, industrialization and modernization. Efforts should be made to finalize and implement the Overall Program on restructuring the economy and projects on restructuring three priority areas in keeping with the orientation of resolutions of the 3rd plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee through program of actions, plans and concrete activities with clear objectives, addresses, and appropriate roadmaps and steps to ensure early growth recovery and quick shift to sustainable development model in the coming years. To complete the socialist-oriented market economy in all three areas: to build and complete the legal framework on economy, complete the system of state economic organizations and economic stakeholders as well as the operation system of the economy, first and foremost the mechanism which facilitates equality for businesses of all economic sectors. To respect and bring into play rules of the market economy and mechanism in production and business, to firmly maintain the socialist orientation of the economy while promoting the role of the state through promulgation and implementation of social policies to ensure social welfare and security through state budget and other national resources; to push up administrative reform and improve investment and business environment, to direct resources to real production and business particularly on agriculture, farmers and rural areas; to renovate, strengthen management and strictly control the financial and monetary market for sustainable macro economic stability; to develop, approve and carry out program on special administrative and economic zones to create breakthrough growth and legislative pilot areas.

Second, to bring into play achievements of the 6th plenum of the Central Committee, this plenum discussed and unanimously issued Resolutions on radical and comprehensive reform of education and training to meet demands of industrialization and modernization in the context of the socialist-oriented market economy and international integration. As compared with the resolution of the 2nd plenum of the 8th Party Central Committee, the resolution of this conference succeeded, supplemented and developed new contents on awareness, ways of thinking, points of view, leading ideology, objectives, tasks and implementation measures. As far as perception is concerned, the Central Committee noted that radical and comprehensive renovation is renovation of large, core, urgent issues from points of view, leading ideology to objectives, content, educational and training methodology as well as mechanism, policies and conditions for successful implementation; renovation from the Party’s leadership, State’s management to renovation of education and training institutions and with the participation of families, communities, society and each learner; renovation in all level, areas of education in both central and local levels. Radical and comprehensive renovation does not mean to begin from scratch but to succeed and uphold correct points of view and leading ideology, achievements and good practices while supplement new points of views, ideologies, resolutely rectify deviations which run counter to laws and promote new factors. Renovation should ensure appropriateness and conformity of each targets and level of education and have long-term vision, feasible and synchronous measures, focus, priority, roadmap and steps.

The Central Committee pointed out that the objectives of renovation this time should bring about fundamental changes in quality and effectiveness of education and training, overcome weaknesses and constraints which have caused social resentment, educate and train Vietnamese so that they can develop comprehensively and develop each individual’s potentiality. They are people who love their families and country. They devote themselves to the service of their people and country, possess knowledge and basic skills, live a healthy life and work with high efficiency. We should build an open education, real learning, real practicing, good teaching, learning and management with appropriate educational structure and methodology in close association with leaning society to ensure quality improvement. The educational and training system should be standardized, modernized, socialized, and democratized to facilitate international integration. This system should be socialist-oriented and imbued with national identity.

To achieve these objectives, education and training should be considered as the cause of the Party, State and people, and a primary national policy. Investment in education is investment for development and is a priority in socio-economic development programs and plans. The objectives of education are to heighten people’s knowledge, citizens’ capacity, train human resources and foster talents. It is necessary to observe educational mottos: theory goes with practice; school education combines with family and social education. Education should change from focusing on knowledge transfer to development of capacity and virtue of learners. Educational and training development is to meet socio-economic development and national defense demands and to conform to objective development law, scientific and technological advances. Educational development should change from only achieving quantity to achieving both quantity and higher quality. To change the rigid educational system which lacks continuity to an educational system which is open, flexible, with continuity from one level to the other, from one training methodology to the other to facilitate lifelong learning. To proactively promote positive impacts and limit negative impacts of the market mechanism to ensure socialist-orientation in educational and training development; to develop public and non-public education and regional education of harmony, quality and mutual assistance. Educational priority is given to investment in especially difficult regions and regions inhabited by ethnic minorities and entitled people; to proactively integrate in international education and training to meet demands of international integration.

Third, the Central Committee spent a lot of time discussing issues of diverse opinions and made concrete opinions on each chapter, article and the whole Draft Law on Amendments of the 1992 Constitution. Once again, the Central Committee expressed appreciation and thanks to compatriots and soldiers in the country and overseas Vietnamese who had contributed opinions to the Draft Law. The Committee also highly appreciated deputies of the National Assembly for their high sense of responsibility when making concrete and accurate opinions and comments on the Draft Law. The Committee acknowledged and commended the Drafting Committee and other competent authorities which had collected, analyzed, accepted and presented issues with diverse opinions for finalization of the Draft Law.

The Central Committee maintained that the Draft Law was basically complete in both content and style and achieves objectives and requirements for drafting the law. The content of the Draft Law reflected the will and aspirations of people of all strata and the nation. It demonstrated more clearly and completely the nature of democracy and progress of our State and our regime in the transitional period to socialism. It stipulated clearly, correctly and completely the political regime, economy, culture, education, science and technology, human rights and rights and obligations of citizens and state apparatus. It confirmed that our state is the socialist state governed by law of the people, for the people and by the people. All power is vested with people. People exercise the state power through direct democracy and representative democracy through the National Assembly, the People’s Councils and other organizations of the State. The state power is unified with division, coordination and control of power among state organizations of legislation, execution and jurisdiction so that each institution fulfills its functions with efficiency and effectiveness, tasks and authority as stipulated by the Constitution to generate aggregate power of the state. The Communist Party of Viet Nam is the leading force of the State and society. The Party is closely associated with the people, is in the people’s service, under people’s supervision and is held responsible before the people of its decisions. Party’s organizations and Party members operate within the framework of constitution and legislation. The Draft Law confirmed the position and important role of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, Confederation of Labour Union and other socio-political organizations. The Draft Law’s structure, wording, styles and presentation were factors that ensure the Draft Law was a fundamental and sustainable law.

Right after this plenum, the Party caucus of the National Assembly, the Drafting Committee and competent authorities should finalize the Draft Law and submit it to the National Assembly for consideration and adoption at the coming 6th meeting. This process should be carried out scientifically and strictly under the leadership of Party Committees and Party organizations with attention given to information and communication to ensure correct information is disseminated and prevent misinformation and sabotage by hostile forces and ill-intended people. It is necessary to develop programmes and plans to implement the new constitution, complete the legal framework and policies, to complete the organizing system of the Party, State, Viet Nam Fatherland Front and political and social organizations; to renovate the political system in keeping with economic renovation as set out by several Party congresses.

Fourth, reviewing the implementation of the resolution of the 8th plenum of the 9th Party Central Committee on the Strategy on national defense, the Central Committee agreed that over the past 10 years, while the international and regional situation has developed with complexities, Viet Nam has confronted with serious difficulties and hostile forces have stepped up their sabotage activities, the Party, people and army have exerted great efforts to firmly maintain political stability and peaceful environment for national development, defend independence, sovereignty, unification, territorial integrity, national interest, Party, people and socialism. The people’s defense and security have been strengthened. National and security potential have been consolidated. The aggregate strength for national defense has been enhanced.

However, the cause of national defense is still facing numerous difficulties and challenges. Compared with the previous 10 years, there are profound changes in international and regional situation with new complexities and unpredictable factors. Southeast Asia has become a region where fierce competition for market and resources as well as disputes over territory, waters and island sovereignty have occurred complicatedly. New types of war such as information war, internet war, use of soft power through economic, diplomatic and cultural activities in combination with the so-called “peaceful evolution” and chaos and overthrow which are very dangerous. Though achievements have been made in the renovation process and socio-economic development, there remain constraints and weaknesses which have given rise to complicated problems affecting national defense. Negative impacts of the market economy and international integration have become clearer and fiercer. Manifestation of political, ethical, cultural value and lifestyle degradation, social stratification and mass complaints have been in the increase. Threats and dangers warned against by the Party have become worse.

Only by fully aware of this situation can we be determined to be vigilant and take measures to safeguard national security and defense. The Central Committee affirmed to continue implementing goals, objectives, points of view, orientations and guiding principles set out by the 8th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee which will be supplemented and developed in keeping with new situation. Fully grasping and applying the lessons of our ancestor “Building the country should go with defending the country”; “Defending the country right from the time when the country is not in danger”, we should take preventive measures to early avert war and conflict threats. This also means we should build a strong economy, strong national defense, be self –reliant, maintain political and social stability and build the national unity bloc. The Central Committee specifically laid stress on maintaining the absolute and direct leading role of the Party in the cause of national defense to build a strong Party and a strong State, consistently consolidating the national unity bloc, heightening vigilance, defeating all attempts and sabotage activities and aggressive plots of hostile forces, standing ready in all circumstances, combining closely two strategic tasks of building and defending the country, linking socio-economic development with strengthening national defense, security, foreign relation expansion; combining national strength and strength of the time, continuing to fulfill the focal task of economic development and the key task of Party construction and building culture as a spiritual foundation of society. Aggregate strength is to be pooled from all fields of politics, ideology, economy, culture, national defense, security, and foreign relations to safeguard the country.

In the immediate future, it is necessary to create clear changes, overcome constraints and weaknesses in Party and Party building, prevent degradation in political ideology, morality, lifestyle and the so-called “self-transformation” among Party cadres and members. The economy should get out of the current difficult situation to embark on fast and sustainable development, improve material and spiritual life of the people, strengthen people’s confidence in the Party’s and State’s leadership and consolidate the great national unity. While guarding against negligence and low vigilance we should prevent war threats and conflicts in all directions, violent riots and terrorism, formation of opposing political organizations, ensure security in all aspects, control crimes and create clear changes in social order.

Fifth, the Central Committee discussed and agreed to set up five Sub-Committees for preparation of the 12th Party Congress which include: the Sub-Committee on Documentation, the Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Affairs, the Sub-Committee on Party Statutes, the Sub-Committee on Personnel and the Sub-Committee on Preparation for the Party Congress. While considering and deciding the establishment of Sub-Committees, the Central Committee discussed and contributed opinions on structure, functions, tasks and personnel of each Sub-Committee, considering it initial work in preparation for the 12th Party Congress. The Sub-Committees should urgently develop agenda and plans to start working shortly and ensure quality and efficiency. Especially, the Sub-Committees of Documentation and Socio-Economic Affairs should work closely with research and advisory agencies of the Party and State, selecting and inheriting successes of the 30 years of renovation to make recommendations on stronger and in-depth orientations, policies and measures to the 12th Party Congress to create new dynamism for rapid and sustainable development of the country.

In this plenum, the Central Committee also discussed and provided comments and inputs to the Draft Regulations on election within the Party. The Central Committee assigned the Political Bureau to lead the finalization of the Draft Regulations through further studying, supplementing and incorporating inputs of the Central Committee and submit the Draft Regulation to the 9th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee.

Dear comrades,

Our plenum concluded successfully. Decisions made by the plenum are extremely important and have a great influence on the implementation of socio-economic development, renovating education and training, building the Party and State, defending the country and ensuring the sustainability of the country and regime. Thus, members of the Party Central Committee, Party cadres and managers should heighten their sense of responsibility as pace-setters in leading and implementing the resolution of the plenum and resolutions of the 11th Party Congress and other resolutions of the Central Committee.

In that spirit, I declare the 8th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee closed. I wish you the best of health and successes in fulfilling your tasks before the Party, people and country.

Thank you.

Nguyen Phu Trong