Shii exchanges views with CPV Ho Chi Minh City Committee secretary on market economy and socialism

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Shii exchanges views with CPV Ho Chi Minh City Committee secretary on market economy and socialism

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on January 13 held talks with Communist Party of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai (CPV Politburo member), exchanging opinions in particular on the socialist-oriented market economy.

Hai explained Ho Chi Minh City's leading role in developing Vietnam's economy. At the same time, pointing out that the city has taken the lead in the project to reduce poverty, he said, "In addition to the city's budget, we are using funds from companies with substantial revenues and people with large incomes to carry out the poverty reduction project."

Shii responded to him by saying, "Vietnam's efforts to reduce poverty are appreciated highly by the U.N. and the IMF."

Concerning Doi Moi (renovation), Shii stated, "We have paid attention to what efforts are being made in Vietnam to build state and collective economies in which producers become protagonists by enabling them to take part in corporate management."

Shii went on to say, "We consider the socialization of the means of production as the crux of socialism. I do not think it is easy to pursue a course to make producers protagonists, but through my experiences in visiting the Song Long industry cooperative in Hanoi City and the High-tech park in Ho Chi Minh City, I feel that you are attaching importance to this question."

Hai said, "We want to increase the collective economy because it accounts for only one percent of the GDP in Ho Chi Minh City despite that the collective economy is as important as to the state economy."

Pointing out that 80 percent of workers in the city are employed by either private-sector or foreign-owned corporations, Hai said, "We pay attention to legally guaranteeing the interests of workers in this field. However, the reality is complicated and full of contradictions."

Referring to strikes carried out last year by workers at foreign-owned corporations, Hai said, "We need to take into consideration the interests of entrepreneurs in guaranteeing the legitimate and just interests of workers. This requires study that takes a long period of time."

Regarding Hai's remarks, Shii said he and CPV General Secretary Nong Duc Manh had agreed to conduct theoretical exchanges between the two parties. Hai said, "Theoretical exchanges between the two parties will be very useful."

In closing, Shii said, "Throughout this visit, we have realized that the 'socialist-orientation' called for in the Doi Moi policy is not merely a slogan but the goal that Vietnam is seriously trying to achieve. As Vietnam won the wars against two imperialist countries, I hope Vietnam will also achieve victory in the Doi Moi undertakings."

Hai said, "I wish the JCP and the Japanese people a great success in your struggles in Japan."
- Akahata, January 15, 2007