Vietnam Party Official Calls Khmer Minority for Further Unity

Vietnam’s steering committee for the south-western region has urged Khmer ethnic minority compatriots in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu to join hands with entire people to strengthen the national unity and upgrade living conditions. Son Song Son, member of the Party Central Committee and deputy head of the steering committee, made the call at a meeting with more than 200 Khmer State employees and dignitaries from Khmer pagodas in Bac Lieu province on Nov. 2. Son briefed the participants on the outstanding achievements, in terms of socio-economic development and strengthening unity amongst ethnic groups, Vietnam has reaped in the first 10 months of this year. Bac Lieu province is now home to more than 13,000 Khmer ethnic minority people, accounting for 8% of the province’s population. In recent years, many Party and State policies have been effectively carried out in the province, benefiting the local Khmer people. Tens of billions of dong have been poured into roads, irrigation systems, education, training, water supply and electricity transmission networks, giving a facelift to the lives of the targeted persons. The province’s poverty rate fell to 8.98% in mid-2010 from 16.23% in 2006. (Vietnamplus Nov 3)