The nation's accession as the 150th member of the WTO was the result of many years of implementing Party and State policies on international economic integration, Manh said.

The new opportunities and challenges created by WTO accession would have reciprocal impacts on one another, he added.

"If we have high determination and good preparation, we can not only overcome the challenges but also change them into motivations for development," he said.

"To take advantage of the opportunities and overcome the challenges, we should build correct and suitable policies to boost the national economy, while maintaining independence, sovereignty and a socialist orientation," Manh said.

In his speech, Manh also emphasised the need to review the results of the 11th National Assembly and to prepare for the coming 12th National Assembly.

The Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress had committed the nation to renewing the organisation and activities of the National Assembly, raising the qualifications of National Assembly deputies, increasing the number of full-time deputies and bringing into full play the role of deputies.

"Following this spirit, thorough personnel and organisational preparations which will allow the people to elect National Assembly deputies who are of good quality and able to represent the people's aspirations is vital," he said.

The Party leader also urged conferences of Party committees at different levels be well organised at suitable times to assure their quality and effectiveness.

Marine economy

Manh's remarks also addressed the need for an economic development strategy for the nation's seas and islands, pursuant to the many Party and State resolutions and instructions that have been issued on the subject.

The recent Party Resolution provided that maritime economy should be strongly developed with a focus on sectors that have comparative strengths to make Vietnam a country with strong maritime economy, as well as on the maintenance of national defence and security in a spirit of international co-operation.

The Party leader pointed out that results gained so far in this area were not in conformity with the multifaceted potential of Vietnam's seas, coastal areas and islands.

This conference of the Party Central Committee would comprehensively discuss the position and role of the seas in all the aspects of the economy, society, national defence and security and foreign affairs to build a marine strategy through 2020 and a further vision to the future, Manh said.

This was intended to implement the Party Resolution as well as maximally exploit the potential and advantages of the seas, coastal areas and islands, while ensuring national defence, security and sovereignty over the country's territorial waters, and boosting industrialisation and modernisation, he said.

The conference would also discuss how to improve the organisation and apparatus of Party commissions and State offices.

Manh said the Party Resolution had directed the renewal of Party organisations and apparatus, especially Party commissions from the central to the local level, along with improving the organisation of State offices, the Fatherland Front and mass organisations.

He said the overlap in functions, duties and responsibilities of various organisations and individuals should be addressed.

The conference continues through January 24.

Source: Viet Nam News