From WIRE REPORTS
A traveling exhibit of 150 documents that purport to prove that Chinese territory stops at Hainan Island and confirm Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) and Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) belong to Vietnam are on display through Thursday in Saigon, attracting thousands of people every day.
Photo from VietnamNet Bridge.
After stops in Hanoi in the north and Ha Tinh province in the central region, Saigon is the latest to host the exhibition, “Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, Truong Sa – Historical Evidence.”
The exhibits include versions of documents in traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and French languages issued by Vietnamese feudal states from the 17th century to the early 20th century; 95 maps published by Vietnam, China and Western countries from the 16th century; and four atlases published by China in 1908, 1917, 1919 and 1933.
Several photos and documents featuring the socioeconomic and cultural development of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa in recent years also are introduced.
Through the exhibition, Vietnam wants to show both locals and international friends that many years ago, Vietnamese states exercised and defended their national sovereignty over the two archipelagos.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Do Quy Doan said that the exhibition aims to affirm Vietnam’s stance, as well as raise the solidarity and responsibility of Vietnamese both at home and abroad for the protection of the country’s sea and island sovereignty.
The event once more affirms Vietnam’s determination to defend its sacred land, airspace and waters, and also help others, including the Chinese, understand Vietnam’s wish to maintain peace and stability in the region.
