Attending a political-military conference for the entire army in Hanoi on Tuesday, Trong, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need to strengthen the nation’s defence capability. He urged the military to coordinate closely with ministries, sectors and localities in building defensive zones and improve planning in combination with socio-economic development nationwide. The Party leader also requested that the military intensify collaboration with the police and other forces in the fight against crime, smuggling and trade fraud along the borderline and at sea to ensure social security and order, and to stay ready to take part in search and rescue missions.

He emphasised the importance of building an army with firm political will and absolute loyalty to the nation, the Party and people, which has a streamlined but appropriate structure and high combating capacity. Trong said the army needs to thoroughly grasp the Party’s foreign policy of independence and self-reliance and intensify the its external relations, thus contributing to protecting national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.