The Truong Sa ( Spratly Islands ) district on April 16 held a ceremony to mark the 35 th anniversary of its liberation (April 29, 1975).

Attending the function were Senior Lieutenant-General Bui Van Huan, Deputy Director of the Political General Department and representatives from different ministries and agencies, and local people.

Thirty-five years ago, after the glorious victories in Buon Me Thuot, Hue , Da Nang and Khanh Hoa, on the morning of April 14, 1975, the Vietnamese naval commandos landed to liberate the Song Tu Tay island.

This victory was followed by the liberation of the Son Ca island on April 25, the Sinh Ton island on April 28 and the whole Truong Sa islands on April 29.

Since its liberation, the Truong Sa islands have seen remarkable development with numerous economic cum defence works serving people’s life.

The house commemorating Late President Ho Chi Minh, the monuments of martyrs, the Capital Guest House, Truong Sa and Song Tu Tay pagodas have become public places for local people to hold cultural exchange activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Huan affirmed that the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa islands constitute an integral part of the Vietnamese territory. The liberation of the Truong Sa islands was of strategic significance, making an important contribution to the great victory of the nation.

He asked Truong Sa cadres and soldiers to continuously improve their knowledge and political spirit, strengthen the management and protection of sea and island sovereignty, actively overcome difficulties and speed up production and aquaculture, thus building Truong Sa into an island district rich in economics and strong in defence./.