HANOI: Vietnam’s top leader promised to fight corruption in an address Tuesday to a twice-a-decade congress of the Communist Party, where he is seeking expanded powers similar to China’s political structure.
In just 17 months as general secretary, To Lam has swept aside rivals and centralized authority in an aggressive reform drive officials describe as a “revolution.”
He accelerated a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that ensnared thousands of officials, thinned and streamlined bureaucracy, and pushed infrastructure investment.
The party is “determined to fight corruption” as it spurs private-sector growth, he said, adding it would tackle “wastefulness and negativity.”
“All wrongdoings must be dealt with,” he told the meeting, standing before a giant statue of party founder Ho Chi Minh.
