As an outpost island district, Co To needs to pay attention to maintaining defence, security and sea and island sovereignty, creating favourable conditions for socio-economic development, President Triet said on June 7.

“The people and armed forces in Co To defend the country’s sea and islands in Quang Ninh province on behalf of those nationwide. We want peace, friendship, stability in the country’s sea areas and islands, and we are determined to do our best to defend our sea areas and islands. Many generations laid down their lives for the Fatherland, so we are ready to dedicate all to defend our native villages and defend sea and island sovereignty,” the President said.

He shared his sympathy to the soldiers and people on the island over the difficulties in their daily life, asking the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Corporation to implement a thermal electricity project on Co To island, ensuring power supply for production and daily life.

Secretary of the Co To district Party Committee Nguyen Duc Thanh provided a briefing on the district’s socio-economic development and its strengths in sea and tourism as well as defence security. Co To caught 16,000 tonnes of seafood in the first five months of this year, welcomed over 3,000 tourists and reached a per capita income of 830 USD in 2010.

He proposed a link-up with the national electricity grid, building a helipad and expanding the Ho Chi Minh relic site on the island.

During the visit, President Triet visited the workers’ village of Viglacera Ha Long joint stock company in Hoanh Bo district on June 8.

Co To island district includes more than 40 islands with a total area of 4,600 hectares. About 150km offshore from Quang Ninh’s capital city of Ha Long, Co To has a population over 5,000./.