Vietnam plenum begins key meeting

Vietnam plenum begins key meeting

HANOI (Reuters): The powerful central committee of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has begun a key meeting that will address the future of state ownership and integration into the world economy, official media reported on Tuesday.

The state-controlled Vietnam News Agency said the 170-member committee gathered for the meeting in Hanoi on Monday. It is expected to last more than a week.

VNA said the plenum heard an opening speech by Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, and politburo member Nguyen Phu Trong reported on four key issues included in a draft document to be submitted to the Communist Party's Ninth Congress next year.

VNA said politburo member Nguyen Van An also presented a report on amendments to party regulations to be submitted to the ninth congress, which is expected to held in March.

Congresses are the supreme gatherings in Vietnam's political calendar, setting the tone for the next five years and beyond.