Border guard soldiers firmly safeguard sovereignty on Cham Islands

The Cham Islands, widely known as Cu Lao Cham, are located nearly 20km offshore from the ancient town of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province. The cluster of 8 small islands has a special strategic importance in terms of national defence and security.

As one of the armed forces stationed on Cu Lao Cham over the past half century, officers and soldiers of Cu Lao Cham Border Post are assigned with protecting sovereignty, managing border security of waters and islands, and ensuring political security, social order and safety in Tan Hiep Island Commune.

They are also responsible for coordinating with functional forces, sectors, and localities to properly handle any arising defence and security situations.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Thanh, Head of Cu Lao Cham Border Post, said that his unit has implemented synchronous measures to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime security while maintaining combat preparedness and readiness.

At the same time, officers and soldiers at the post are tasked with firmly grasping the situation of the area; coordinating with relevant forces to handle law violations; and popularising laws and legal documents to fishermen to raise awareness of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), thus contributing to promoting socio-economic development in the region.

In addition, they maintain connection with the local Party Committee, authorities, and people of the island commune. They have held many communication activities and events to raise local awareness of sea and island sovereignty as well as territorial integrity, thus increasing their responsibility in protecting maritime resources.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Man Xuan Thinh, Political Commissar of Cu Lao Cham Border Post, the unit has made positive contributions in recent years, including facilitating socio-economic development, reducing poverty, and strengthening national defence and security in the locality.

With Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival just around the corner, the unit has developed a plan to maintain security and social order and enhance combat readiness in the area during the festival.

In addition to performing their assigned political tasks, the unit has also actively supported local people in defending against natural disasters and joined search and rescue activities, as well as coordinated with relevant agencies in natural resource protection and biodiversity conservation in the core zone of the Cu Lao Cham, which was recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009.

These days, with Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival just around the corner, the unit has developed a plan to maintain security and social order and enhance combat readiness in the area during the festival.

Officers and soldiers are allowed to visit their families on the occasion, but must ensure that the number of soldiers on duty in the border post still meets the army’s regulations.

Gifts are also presented to disadvantaged soldiers, those from family of policy beneficiaries, and those who are children of wounded and fallen soldiers.