The High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was bestowed the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the Reform Period” at a ceremony marking its 17th founding anniversary in Hanoi on August 28. In his speech, VCG Commander Major General Nguyen Quang Dam said the VCG High Command, previously the Coast Guard Department, was established on August 28, 1998 to enhance the State management over the protection of national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction while safeguarding security, order and safety at sea and in the country’s continental shelf. The coast guard force has continually made concerted efforts to fulfil its tasks of patrolling, controlling and managing the nation’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and effectively cooperating in search-and-rescue missions in offshore waters, he added. At the event, President Truong Tan Sang presented the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the Reform Period” to the VCG High Command, hailing its endeavours over the past 17 years. The VCG has asserted its role as the core and specialised force in ensuring security, order, safety and law enforcement in the waters and continental shelf of Vietnam, he said. He noted possible complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world in the coming years along with territorial disputes in the East Sea and other waters that could cause instability. That situation tasks the entire Party, people and army—especially the VCG—with the heavy burden of protecting the country’s sovereignty, security, order, safety and marine environment. The leader requested the coast guard force further consolidate its personnel’s political firmness and thoroughly grasp the Party and State’s viewpoint on the settlement of sea disputes. He also told the force to expand external relations—crucial to building up trust among nations, learn from experiences of other countries’ coast guard forces, and work to raise the VCG’s level to be on par with its regional and global counterparts.-VNA