At the ceremony (Source: VNA)Can Tho (VNA) – President Truong Tan Sang presented the Military Exploit Order, first class, to the armed forces of Military Zone 9 during a ceremony celebrating the zone’s 70 th traditional day (December 10) in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on December 3.
In his speech, the President underlined the strategic position of Military Zone 9 which covers 12 localities in the Mekong Delta.
Given the complicated developments in the region and the world, he asked the Military Zone 9’s Party Committee and High Command to build politically-strong and modern armed forces with high combat capacity.
They were urged to strengthen the organisation of both regular military and locally-managed army units, while simultaneously working closely with the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region and local administrations to solidify people-based defence and security.
The armed forces should also engage in raising public awareness of the socio-economic and cultural development, particularly in remote and mountainous areas, he said, adding that it is also essential to promote defence-security relations with neighbouring countries and build a Vietnam-Cambodia borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
Established on December 10, 1945, the Military Zone 9 rendered meritorious service to the southern liberation and national reunification.
During the war to defend the Southwest border and international mission, the zone’s armed forces stood side by side with residents in border areas to safeguard national territorial integrity. It also fought alongside Cambodian armed forces and people against Pol Pot troops and helped save Cambodia from the genocidal regime.
As the country embarked on renovation process, the forces fared well in building transparent and strong Party units. Many of its staff have joined senior ranks of the Party, State and army.-VNA
