Vietnam on quest for prosperity
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares his thoughts over last year’s achievements and matters to focus on this year.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Source: VGP
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The fight against corruption is a big task which has been discussed at length, targeting the entire political system from central to local governments. However, it was not until recently that anti-corruption measures have been initiated.
In recent years, Vietnam has stepped up efforts in the fight against corruption and has produced significant progress—drawing wide public support—thanks first and foremost to the participation and guidance from the Politburo, the Party Secretariat, and the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption. The Central Inspection Commission has transformed itself into a more effective and professional organization to deal with serious cases of economic violations and corruption involving high-ranking public officials, which have the tendency of inviting public attention.
The smooth and efficient co-ordination between related agencies is a decisive factor enabling the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption to achieve its tasks.
The prosecution of serious economic violations and corruption has been accelerated to ensure compliance with the law, regardless of violators being current or former high-profile officials.
Right at the beginning of 2018 a lot of major cases have gone on trial, such as Pham Cong Danh, ex-Chairman of Vietnam Construction Bank and his associates (Phase II); Dinh La Thang, Trinh Xuan Thanh and their associates at Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam); PetroVietnam’s affiliates PVC and PVP Land; the losses resulting from PetroVietnam’s investment in Oceanbank; or the recent arrest of Phan Van Anh Vu, indicating Vietnam’s strong resolution to leave no stone unturned in the fight against corruption. That said, all are equal before the law.
In 2017, 8 task forces have been set up to oversee the handling, investigation, and trials of major corruption cases in 20 provinces and cities. This is meant to purify local governments, an initiative that has received widespread support from the people.
Through inspections, many senior Party members have been disciplined and received harsh punishment. Are there any loopholes in the State’s human resource management? If so, how do you think they can be best addressed?
Last year, the Party showed no mercy to corrupt party members, even to high-ranking officials causing losses and damaging the state budget or the Party’s reputation.
However, there remains work to do, especially with regards to human resources management from the central to the local government levels. It is important for officials to be trained and groomed for higher positions, but it is just one of many factors when one official is being considered to be promoted for higher-ranking level.
Alternatively, in some cases, officials from the central government could be transferred back to localities to get practical experience. However, this is also only one of the factors for consideration when it comes to promotions. Being relocated to other localities should not mean that a promotion is coming. They need to prove themselves, prove their capabilities before being selected for higher positions.
The process of evaluating official’s capabilities and appointing or transfer them must be based on transparency, fairness, and integrity. The procedures and protocols to evaluate officials are a way to minimize corruption and wrongdoings, so it must be strictly adhered to weed out unqualified officials.
The investigations have shed light to serious corruption and economic violations, but more importantly, violations and wrongdoings should be prevented, not punished, and for this we need mechanisms, laws, and policies. Power should be restricted by regulations.
Recently, the Politburo has issued regulations on criteria to evaluate officials and 5 steps for promoting and transferring officials. Additionally, the Politburo introduced mechanisms to supervise and check the asset declaration process.
There has been significant progress in the fight against corruption and profligacy, as well as in the efforts to build and rectify the Party, receiving wide support from the people. However, some people expressed concerns whether focusing on these matters will slow development. What are your views on this?
This question has been answered by actual facts. Achievements in socioeconomic development, foreign policy, defense, and security, along with positive changes in the process of party building and rectification are significant and numerous, testifying that country has taken the right direction last year.
Specifically, GDP growth last year reached 6.81%, with export value estimated at over US$200 billion and foreign direct investment reaching over US$30 billion. Vietnam has also received 13 million foreign tourists, along with 127,000 newly established enterprises.
2017 also marked outstanding successes in Vietnam’s foreign affairs through the hosting of the APEC 2017, 18 high-level visits to 19 countries, attending 8 international summits, receiving 36 country leaders to Vietnam—in short, deepening the relations between Vietnam and the rest of the world. Vietnam has shown dynamism through its active international integration efforts and heightened its status in the international playground. At the same time, Vietnam remains steadfast in protecting its national sovereignty, maintaining peace and a favorable environment to facilitate its development.
The Party has identified the importance of economic development in parallel with building the Party, which are in no way contrary to each other. In fact, the significant progress in Party building and rectification as well as in the fight against corruption has built trust and optimism among the people. This will be the motivation for us to achieve all objectives and take Vietnam toward rapid and sustainable development.
You have mentioned on plans for 2018 by saying that “Vietnam has to ensure rapid and sustainable development to not be left behind and gradually catch up with advanced countries in the region and on the world.” What should we focus on to achieve this target?
Following the 12th Party Resolution and other related Decrees and conclusions, we have to prioritize finalizing the socialist-oriented market economy mechanism and harmonizing economic growth with social advancement and equality. In addition to growth targets, it is important to promote culture, environmental protection, as well as national security. Furthermore, sustainable development must be based on the equality of all economic components.
There should be a strong push for economic restructuring, which focuses on a growth model based on productivity and innovation. It is increasingly important to focus on the efficient use and allocation of resources, including physical and technological resources. All efforts should be mobilized to realize the potential and advantages of each sector, field, and province in particular, and of the country in general. Meanwhile, as inclusive growth is one of the main priorities, we have to make sure that everyone can benefit from economic growth. Long-term goals should not be passed for the short-term pressure to grow: at this stage it is essential that we focus on the quality of growth, not the quantity.
Along with economic development, more attention should be paid to social and cultural issues, as well as improving living standards. Our responsibilities are to nurture and develop the next generation in a healthy environment, preserving and promoting Vietnam’s traditional cultural values and maintaining the important role of family and community.
Vietnam needs to push forward with the comprehensive transformation of the education system to develop high-quality human resources. In this respect, it is essential to improve the application of science and technology to overcome challenges and seize opportunities for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development.
It is important to prevent deviation from the principles of socialism among the Party cadre and government officials. There should be continuous efforts in narrowing the scale of administration towards simplicity and efficiency, prioritizing the assignment and promotion of qualified officials to key positions.
Last but not least, the country remains firm in protecting its national sovereignty, ensuring political security and public order. With the momentum from last year, Vietnam will maintain active and extensive foreign affairs and international integration efforts.
2018 will be the turning point in realizing the 12th Party Resolution. We have much work to look forward to. On this occasion, I wish all Vietnamese people, both in Vietnam and abroad, good health, prosperity, and happiness. Above all, I hope we can all maintain the momentum of the last year to bring this year’s targets within easier reach, so that Vietnam can have many more successful years ahead.
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