(VOVworld)- A national conference to review external information services in 2017 took place in Hanoi on Wednesday. Addressing the opening, Vo Van Phuong, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communications and Education highlighted the achievements of the external information service:“Through bilateral, multilateral, regional and global diplomatic and political channels and the support of press agencies, we have demonstrated Vietnam’s stance on resolutely defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, promoting cooperation and friendship, and boosting dialogues to seek fundamental and long term solutions to the East Sea issue and maintain solidarity within ASEAN. Communications on the sea and islands have become more diverse and effective.”

Increasing external information communications

Delegates at the conference discussed tasks for 2017 which focus on promoting Vietnam’s stance on settling the East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law and gaining the international community and overseas Vietnamese’s support for the Vietnamese Party guidelines and state policies as well as improving Vietnam’s prestige. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said: “One of Vietnam’s most important events this year is APEC Year 2017 with hundreds of events being held across Vietnam drawing dozens of leaders from other countries and economic groups as well as thousands of reporters from around the world. This is a good opportunity for us to promote our image”.

To mark the occasion, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communications and Education presented Certificates of Merit to 27 collectives and 9 individuals including the Voice of Vietnam for their contributions to communications on sea, islands, and border delineation and border marker planting in 2016.