An old map published in 1904 under the Qing Dynasty provides yet more evidence against China ’s territorial claim of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.

The map “Hoang Trieu Truc Tinh Dia Du Toan Do” is the property of Dr. Mai Hong, who used to work for the Han Nom Institute. He presented it to the Vietnam National Museum of History on July 25.

The map measuring 115cm long and 140cm wide depicts Hainan island as the southernmost point in China ’s territory and there was no mention on whatsoever of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes.

Hong said he hopes the map will serve as a basis for Vietnamese scholars in their study on sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as well as on the East Sea .

Meanwhile, Vietnamese-drawn ancient maps always depicted the country’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

The map “Dai Nam Nhat Thong Toan Do” (Unified Dai Nam complete map) drawn in 1834 under King Minh Mang clearly indicated the two archipelagos Hoang Sa and Van Ly Truong Sa (Truong Sa) belonging to the Vietnamese territory.-VNA