Coast Guard High Command celebrates its 17th birthday   President Truong Tan Sang talks with representatives taking part in the ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of the High Command of the Viet Nam Coast Guard . — VNA/VNS PHotoTrong Duc HA NOI - The High Command of the Viet Nam Coast Guard (VCG) was given the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces in the Renewal Period at a ceremony marking its 17th anniversary in here yesterday. 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 on the country's continental shelf. The coast guard force had worked to fulfil its tasks of patrolling, controlling and managing the nation's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and effectively co-operate in offshore search-and-rescue missions, he added. At the event, President Truong Tan Sang presented the hero title to the VCG High Command, hailing its endeavours over the past 17 years. The VCG had asserted its role to ensure security, order, safety and law enforcement in Viet Nam's waters and continental shelf, 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 maritime environment. Sang asked the coast guard force to consolidate its personnel's political firmness and thoroughly grasp the Party and State's viewpoints on the settlement of maritime disputes. He also told the force to expand external relations, learn from other countries' coast guard forces and work to raise the VCG's level to match its regional and global counterparts. — VNS