President Quang’s last meeting with official reporters

Late State President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse during the visit to Cuba, November 16, 2016. Photo by Pham Khai.

The meeting took place on December 26, 2017 at the Presidential Palace.

“Vu Quang Tuan, Assistant to the President, who was seen as a fine editor and a very close colleague of us, also attended the meeting”, Khai recalled. “I strongly believe that this was his last private meeting with the group of four correspondents specially responsible for the coverage of the president’s activities from the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Television, the Voice of Vietnam and the Nhan Dan Newspaper, and three reporters from the major press agencies of the Public Security Newspaper, the People's Army Newspaper and New Hanoi Newspaper,” said Khai.

4 months before the meeting, when President Quang appeared on TV after his first treatment in Japan, many Vietnamese were shocked at his terribly ill look. But at the meeting, President Quang appeared to be so healthy, it was as if doctors had done miracles for his health.

President Quang, in his blue sleeved shirt, came to every reporter and shook their hands.

He still had sound mind and did not forget any names. “Are you new here?” the President joked while shaking hands of reporter Mai Thanh Tam from New Hanoi Newspaper.

Starting the conversation, the President told the reporters about the reason for this meeting as he just wanted to extend best wishes to the correspondents as another new year was coming. He also said that, during the previous trips, he knew that correspondents met various difficulties when working but he could only give them a nod when passing them. “We can hardly arrange a private meeting like this before,” said the President.

During the talks, the President used an informal adverb to address himself while called the reporters “fellows”, which made us feel so warm, said Khai. The President also told, when he first met the Cuban leader Fidel Castro, he called him “uncle” (Fidel was 30 years older than Quang) but Fidel disagreed and suggested addressing each other “comrade”. That showed the respect of Fidel to the Vietnamese leader.

“Regarding press and media reports on me, I don’t indeed feel comfortable when being overstated. I don’t like flatters. Your reports should make the character feel satisfied with your compliments he receives,” President Quang said. 

He also cited the success of the APEC 2017, saying, “The success stemmed not only from the good performance of the president but also from the collective leadership. In fact, the Party, the Government, and the National Assembly gave sound directions, under which involved individuals and organizations could successfully fulfill their assigned tasks, contributing to the overall success of the Vietnam APEC 2017. 

“So when your reports on the president’s role, you should also mention the collective leadership and link it with national interests. For example, in my capacity as the president, I light incense and praise for the country and people other than myself,” the President explained.

Highlighting the success of APEC 2017 in Vietnam, President Quang said, when he visited his home village, everyone was talking about APEC. The event gave our people a deeper insight into the regional forum of APEC and the country’s international integration.

President Quang told that during the APEC Summit Week 2017, as the representative of the host country, he slept only some three hours a day. He even did not dare to take a nap at noon.

Despite his poor health during APEC 2017, President Quang was praised by both domestic and international press and media for successfully fulfilling his duty.

“It was more than diplomatic gestures or handshakes. When guests delivered speeches, the host had to listen attentively and grasp the main ideas so as to make the conclusion suitable for the general topic. This was not an easy task,” said President Quang.

In addition to welcoming international delegations and chairing various meetings, President Tran Dai Quang also observed behaviors of his guests.

President Quang also recalled the time when he was a student with various difficulties. Everyday, he had to walk barefoot 6 km to school in any weather conditions.

Senior Colonel Pham Khai in a photo with President Tran Dai Quang

He also raised his concern over the working ethics of some journalists, saying that they deliberately give reports with unclear information. “Such reports may undermine the confidence of the people in the Party, cause doubt and division within the Party, and mislead people as to our main goal of fighting corruption,” emphasized President Quang.

Via his words, President Quang appeared to read much information on the social networks. His good knowledge of social networks was easily understood as he wrote a book named “Cyber space – Future and action” published by the Public Security Publishing House.

President Quang also clarified all fake and distorted information about him on the internet. When Assistant Vu Quang Tuan mentioned rumors about an impersonator of the president on the internet, the President said, “Well, that fake news spread out so widely that a retired cadre came close to me, held my hands and yelled ‘Yes, Mr. Quang is real, when I had meeting with voters.”

President Quang also pointed out the need to introduce the Law on Cyber Security, saying “There are so many untrue and distorted news and information on social networks, which may harm the national interests and people’s interests. At APEC meetings, I also raised the issue of Cyber Security Law to the international delegates.”

The talks lasted for nearly 3 hours. President Quang should have had some other meetings but he postponed them to talk to the reporters, said Khai.

This talk has now become a good memory about the beloved president of the reporters attending the meeting, wrote Khai.