Visitors to an exhibition on Vietnam's Hoang Sa and Truong Sa chains of islands (Photo: VNA)
Nearly 100 maps and a series of documents, publications and objects proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos are on display at an exhibition in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh.
The exhibits are in the Han (classical Chinese), Vietnamese and French languages issued by Vietnamese feudal states, the French government in Indochina (on behalf of the then Vietnamese state) and other foreign countries since the 16th century.
All pieces on display affirm that Vietnam has established and exercised its rightful sovereignty over the two archipelagos.
Among them are four atlases and 30 maps officially published by the Chinese governments through historical eras defining Hainan Island as China’s southernmost tip.
The exhibition, co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the provincial People’s Committee, aims to raise public awareness, especially among the youth, about protecting and affirming the country’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on October 5, MIC Deputy Minister Pham Hong Hai said that the exhibition is expected to help international friends, including Chinese people, understand the real situation in the East Sea as well as the legitimate aspirations of the Vietnamese Party, State and people for peace and stability in the East Sea to serve national development.
The display will run until October 9.-VNA
