Editor’s note: The Northwest is a strategically pivotal area in terms of economy, culture, society, national defence, security, foreign affairs and ecological environment of the whole country. The stability and development of the Northwest is particularly important for the cause of national construction and defence. Being well aware of that, the armed forces in the area have been promoting the high quality of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers", fulfilling the assigned functions and tasks, making an important contribution to the Northwest provinces' breakthrough in completing the objectives and tasks set by Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW of the Politburo (13th tenure) on building a "green, sustainable and comprehensive" Northwest.
The National Defence Journal would like to introduce a series of articles on "The Northwest Armed Forces stay firmly in strategic areas" by group of authors, including Duc Phu, Hoang Truong and Viet Vuong.
I. Northwest - a strategically key area of the country
A heroic, potential, and unique Northwest
Northwest, is a strategically key area of the country; the "shield", the gateway and the headland of the Fatherland. This place has a long history with a glorious revolutionary tradition, unique cultural heritage, especially those of ethnic minorities, and multiple potentials and advantages for sustainable development. The Northwest terrain is mainly forest and mountains, with a large area (about 39,184 square kilometer), which is considered as the "lung" of the North and the whole country, with the Hoang Lien Son and Pu Den Dinh overlapping mountain ranges and several large rivers and streams, such as Red River, Da River, Ma River, Chay River, Nam Na River, etc., creating a majestic and beautiful natural landscape that is both valuable for not only economic, cultural and tourism development but also national defence and security value. This is also a place where there are many precious and valuable natural resources and minerals, such as iron, lead, zinc, titanium, rare earth, etc., which is an advantage to develop the mineral mining and processing industry. In addition, the Northwest has a border with China (nearly 500 km) and with Laos (nearly 700 km), with many arterial traffic routes, with a system of border gates, roads and railways. It is also the gateway to connect economic trade among Vietnam and Southwest China, Northeast Laos, ASEAN countries and to expand inter-regional, international and inter-continental connections during the globalisation and international integration.
There are more than 20 ethnic groups living together in the Northwest region; of which over 70% are ethnic minorities. During the ups and downs of the history, the people of the Northwestern ethnic groups have always united, associated, and worked together to build and firmly protect the area and the country. During historical periods, especially in the cause of national liberation struggle, under the leadership of the Party, the Northwestern armed forces and people actively contributed human and material strength, together with the army and people of the country carried out numerous heroic campaigns and historical battles, especially the Dien Bien Phu Victory which "echoed into the mountains and rivers, resounded throughout the five continents and was world-shaking.
The Northwest is not only a majestic and poetic area, which is "thousand meters up and down" with vast forests, overlapping mountain ranges, along with vast fields and winding terraced fields, but also a folklore depository formed, preserved and developed for thousands of generations. For a long time, the names of lands and villages, such as: Muong Thanh, Tuan Giao, Than Uyen, Mai Chau, Moc Chau, Bac Ha, Sa Pa, Lac village; together with "Art of Xoe Thai" - the cultural soul of the Northwest Thai people - recognised by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, a form of cultural activities that unites the community, not only is the pride of the Thai people, but also the common joy of the Northwest ethnic groups and the people of Vietnam. Those above have blended to create a unique and special Northwest cultural space.
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| Conference on grasping Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW of the Politburo (13th tenure) |
Decisions of the Party and the State – the decisive factor for the development of the Northwest
Being well aware of the position, role and importance of the Northwest and the difficulties and challenges faced by ethnic minorities in the Northwest, over the years, the Party, the State, all levels and sectors have paid special attention by strategic undertakings and orientations; specific mechanisms and policies prioritising investment in comprehensive development of the midland and mountainous regions, ethnic minorities in general, and the Northwest provinces in particular. Typically, Resolution No. 37-NQ/TW, dated July 1, 2004 of the Politburo (9th tenure) on “Orientation for socio-economic development and assurance of national defence and security in the Midlands and Northern mountainous region to 2020", Conclusion No. 26-KL/TW, dated August 2, 2012 of the Politburo (11th tenure) on continuing to implement Resolution No. 37-NQ/TW, etc. After nearly 20 years of implementation, the region's appearance has changed and prospered, and achieved remarkable results. The average economic growth rate is about 08% - 09% per year, with some provinces reaching more than 10% per year in the period 2005 - 2010 and 8.15% in the period 2011 - 2020, higher than the national average (5.9%). There has been a great progress in terms of culture, society, education and health; ethnicity, religion, social policies, policies towards people with meritorious services have been well implemented; the number of poor households decreased rapidly; social justice is guaranteed; national defence and security are maintained and strengthened; the material and spiritual life of the people, especially the ethnic minorities, has been gradually improved, etc.
However, compared with the goals set by Resolution No. 37 and Conclusion No. 26, the achieved results are still quite modest; economic scale of the Region is still small, the economic growth is not sustainable, the quality of human resources is low, the rate of poverty is still quite high; there has not yet a fundamental and comprehensive breakthrough in construction and "fast and sustainable" development; rural security, border security also in unstable, etc.
On the basis of research, analysis and assessment of the actual status of the goals and targets achieved in all fields, on February 10, 2022, the Politburo issued and implemented Resolution No.11-NQ/TW on "Orientation of socio-economic development, assurance of national defence and security in the Northern midland and mountainous region by 2030, with a vision to 2045". This shows the special attention of the Party and the State to the Northern midland and mountainous region in general, and the Northwest provinces in particular - an area with a strategic position and a pivotal role in many aspects for the whole country; with the wish and determination of the Party and the State is to "step by step narrow the development level and living standard of the people in the region compared to other regions in the country", so that the compatriots and people of the Northwest provinces can enjoy the fruits of the revolution. The goal in the Resolution is to define and build the Northern midland and mountainous region in general and the Northwest region in particular by 2030 with a vision to 2045 to become a "green, sustainable and comprehensive" development area which can be a green development model of the whole country. Thus, the Northwest development goal has changed from "comprehensively strong" and "fast and sustainable" before to "green, sustainable and comprehensive", representing a great step forward, a breakthrough in the Party's viewpoints on socio-economic development, in line with international trends. In which, "green" development is put on the top position, an important content of sustainable development. It is a development process with a close, reasonable and harmonious combination between economic growth, solving social problems with environmental protection, meeting the needs of the current generation, without compromise the ability to meet the needs of future generations. At the same time, ensuring balance, harmony and comprehensiveness at all levels (commune, district, province), in sectors (industry, agriculture, forestry, construction, fisheries, services, ...) and in fields (economic, cultural, social, national defense, security, foreign affairs, etc.), etc.
To achieve the above goals, the Party and the State determine guidelines and measures in each field. For the economic field, improve institutions and policies, make breakthroughs in the development of socio-economic infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure, promote the application of science and technology, transform number, improving the investment environment, etc, in order to promote the Northwest's economic growth higher than the national average. In the socio-cultural field, it is necessary to focus resources on hunger eradication and poverty reduction quickly and sustainably, especially in ethnic minority areas through mechanisms, policies and programs to support production, livelihoods and housing. Strengthen care for people with meritorious services; well implement national programs and goals on social security, education, health care, etc. Attach importance to education and training, in order to improve the quality of human resources, especially human resources among ethnic minorities, considering this as one of the breakthroughs for rapid and sustainable development of the region; prioritise the preservation of ethnic cultural identities, historical relics and cultural heritages, and well implement policies on ethnicity and religion. For the field of national defence and security, well implement socio-economic development in close association with national defence and security assurance and build the all-people defence posture and people's security posture. Bring into play the effectiveness of economic - defence zones; continue to invest in and implement the arrangement of border population. Step up foreign affairs, build a peaceful border, stability, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development. Maintain political security, social order and safety, actively prevent and fight against the plots of "peaceful evolution", riots and subversion of hostile forces. Promote the role of the leaders, reputable, religious dignitaries in solving complex and arising problems; fight and prevent social evils and crimes. Along with that, take care of building clean and strong party organisations and political systems at all levels, worthy of being the leadership nucleus and implementing the tasks at the grassroots level; take care of building and promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc, creating a driving force for the Region's construction and development.
The above-mentioned strategic orientations and guidelines are not only the key and factor paving the way for the Northwest provinces to develop over time, but also a pedestal, a fulcrum - a light to guide the Northwest to achieve the goals of narrowing, shortening the gap and step by step breaking through to stand shoulder to shoulder with other localities to successfully carry out national construction, development and renewal in the coming time. This is the great determination of the Party and the State, requiring a synchronous and drastic participation with the highest political determination of the entire Party, people, army, the whole political system, in which the first and foremost roles belong to Party committees, authorities and people of the Northwest provinces. Furthermore, the armed forces in the area play an important role, being a firm fulcrum, accompanying localities, people and ethnic minorities to rise up.
(Next: II. The core role of the armed forces in the area - achievements and problems)
DUC PHU, HOANG TRUONG AND VIET VUONG