Phu Tho (VNA)❀ – President Tran Dai Quang has urged the armed forces of Military Zone 2, which acts as the country’s fence in the northwest, to keep a close watch on happenings related to defence and security in the areas to help relevant agencies proactively take proper, prompt countermeasures.

Military Zone 2 encompasses the nine northwestern provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc. The President was speaking at a ceremony marking the 70 th anniversary of the armed forces of Military Zone 2 in Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province, on October 19, during which he tasked the forces to constructively build community-based defence and security, turning districts and provinces into strong defensive bases. In the same vein, Military Zone 2 should improve the quality of training and exercises while strengthening the combat readiness of the officers and soldiers, he said. In order to satisfy requirements of the new revolutionary period, the leader underscored the need for the unit to raise the leadership capacity and build pure and strong Party organisations. He asked the officers and soldiers to thoroughly grasp Party and the State guidelines on external affairs and external defence relations, along with building borders of peace, friendship, cooperation and development with neighbouring countries. “Handling territorial disputes requires high resolve, patience, prudence and flexibility in order to safeguard peace and territorial sovereignty and create favourable conditions for socio-economic-cultural development,” he reminded. President Quang noted his belief that the armed forces of Military Zone 2 will carry forward their traditions to make more victories, deserving the trust of the Party, State and people. The armed forces once joined in major campaigns like Winter-Spring in 1947, Le Hong Phong in 1950, Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet in 1951 and Northwest in 1952. Of note, people and army in the Northwestern region overcame a galaxy of difficulties to contribute to the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 which ended French colonial rule in the country. During the reform period, the armed forces have paired national defence with economic development and taken an active part in dealing with consequences of natural disasters, as well as search and rescue operations and poverty reduction. Tens of thousands of military experts and volunteers from local ethnic minority groups stood side by side with the Lao army and people in the fight against their common enemies. To honour their contributions to the nation over the past seven decades, President Quang granted the Military Exploit Order, first class, to the officers and soldiers on this occasion.-VNA