Hai Phong (VNA) - COVID-19control, economic performance, and the safeguarding of Vietnam’s sovereignty wereamong the issues Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted during a meetingwith voters in the northern port city of Hai Phong on October 13.

Responding to local voters’ opinions at the meeting,held ahead of the National Assembly (NA)’s 10th session, PM Phuc, who is also anNA deputy for Hai Phong, said that COVID-19 was brought under controlnationwide thanks to the adoption of many concerted and drastic solutions.

Repeating his request for continued vigilance inthe face of the pandemic, he emphasised the “twin targets” of fighting COVID-19and promoting economic growth, adding that the Government would press on withstrong and synchronous measures to keep the disease under control and increaseintegration into the global economy.

Despites the difficulties facing the globaleconomy, agriculture remains a pillar of support for Vietnam’s economy, withbumper crops seen nationwide and agricultural products sold at good prices.Meanwhile, trade revenue is still on the rise, and the country is likely topost a trade surplus of 17 billion USD this year for the first time, aremarkable achievement, the PM said.

New industries and processing and manufacturing arestill developing strongly, the Government leader went on, noting guaranteedenergy security and national defence and security, facilitated innovation and applicationof science and technology, as well as achievements in poverty reduction.

He said that realising the “twin targets” is adifficult task, but recent achievements have confirmed the Party and State’sclear-sighted leadership, the political system’s strong engagement, and theentire people’s support for the endeavour.

The PM also underlined that Vietnam’s prestigeand stature in the international arena has been improving. Amid an array ofdifficulties, the country managed to assist other nations to overcome thepandemic by offering medical supplies.

Regarding voters’ concern about the East Seaissue, PM Phuc reiterated that Vietnam has been proactively and resolutelydefending its maritime sovereignty and maintaining a peaceful environment fornational development. The country’s consistent viewpoint is ensuring an EastSea of peace and freedom of navigation and overflight where relevant partiesseriously comply with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea.

In terms of fighting corruption, the Party andState have strictly dealt with violators in a spirit of “nothing being off-limits”,while stepping up asset recovery, he affirmed, adding that the fight will befurther strengthened in the time to come.

Meetings between legislators and voters areregular activities before and after each session of the parliament.

The NA is scheduled to open its 10th sessionlater this month./.