Sea and islands - a part of the homeland

(Baonghean) - For generations, for every Vietnamese person, the sea and islands have always been a part of the homeland and the country. Each person shows their love for the country, the sea and islands with all their compassionate hearts. The exhibition "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa of Vietnam - Historical and legal evidence" contributes to arousing patriotism, affirming the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Implementing the Central's direction on "Vietnam Sea Strategy to 2020" and "Promoting Propaganda on management, protection and sustainable development of Vietnam's Sea and Islands", in 2015, the Ministry of Information and Communications coordinated with the People's Committee of Nghe An province to organize the first exhibition "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa of Vietnam - Historical and legal evidence" at the Provincial Cultural Center.

The Hoang Sa - Truong Sa exhibition attracts a large number of visitors. Photo: Thanh Le

The exhibition introduces more than 150 documents and images displayed in 5 parts: The first part is the written documents issued by the Vietnamese feudal court from the 17th century to the early 20th century, affirming that Vietnam discovered, conquered, established and continuously exercised sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

The second exhibition section introduces a collection of ancient maps published by Vietnam, Western countries and China related to Vietnam's sovereignty over these two archipelagos. The third section introduces images of Vietnam's sovereignty enforcement activities on the Hoang Sa archipelago before 1975. The fourth section is images, documents and artifacts recreating the event "East Sea uproar" when China lowered the HD 981 drilling rig into our country's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone in 2014.

The images of the beloved Truong Sa archipelago of the Fatherland, the historical documents, are valuable legal evidence affirming that Vietnam established sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Truong Sa and Hoang Sa very early, by peaceful means and that the feudal dynasties of Vietnam continuously exercised and legally protected sovereignty over these two archipelagos as well as over other sea and island areas of Vietnam in the East Sea. The historical maps published by the West and China have proven that Truong Sa and Hoang Sa have never belonged to China, and at the same time refuted China's distorted arguments and illegal claims of sovereignty over these two archipelagos.

To implement this plan, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Information and Communications to preside over and manage the entire exhibition content. The exhibition of maps and documents on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa was brought to the people in the province, the first point was in Cua Lo town in May 2016. What is special is that the exhibition of maps and documents on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa was held in Cua Lo town in conjunction with the opening of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week. This is an annual event on a national scale, of great significance. Thereby, honoring the sea, islands and oceans in life; responding with the world to activities to respond to climate change and preserve the marine environment.

The exhibition attracted a large number of people and tourists from all over to visit Cua Lo. “Through the exhibition, we are more proud of the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, arousing patriotism, solidarity and a sense of responsibility to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the country in each person; urging us to join hands to protect the sea by specific actions such as cleaning the beach, actively participating in movements to change awareness, habits and lifestyles in the community in an environmentally friendly direction” - Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hien, in Nghi Huong ward, Cua Lo town said.

Map of the Great Kingdom of An Nam. Photo: Thanh Le

With the hope that the people of Nghe An will always promote tradition, continue to work together to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, after being held in Cua Lo town, the exhibition will come to the people of Quynh Luu district - a coastal district with 9 coastal communes, with many fishermen participating in exploiting seafood and marine resources; has an important position in exploiting seafood, developing the marine economy as well as in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands, and the independence of the nation for generations.

In Quynh Luu district, within the framework of the program, delegates and people attending listened to Dr. Tran Cong Truc - former Head of the Government Border Committee give a talk on issues related to the East Sea. In particular, focusing on the content "The current situation of disputes in the East Sea from a legal perspective"; the ruling of the International Court of Arbitration on the Philippines' lawsuit on the East Sea on July 12, 2016.

“Through this exhibition, the Provincial People's Committee and all levels and sectors have widely introduced to the people of Quynh Luu the correct understanding of Vietnam's territorial sovereignty and sea and islands. Thereby, motivating and encouraging people to confidently stick to the sea, exploit economic development and actively participate in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland" - Mr. Ho Ngoc Dung - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district shared.

In April 2017, the exhibition came to the people of Thanh Chuong mountainous district, a locality with a rich history and culture. Promoting the traditions of their homeland, each person of Thanh Chuong in particular, and Nghe An in general, deeply understands that national sovereignty is sacred and inviolable. Protecting sovereignty is the duty of every citizen.

Currently, thousands of children of Nghe An province, including many children of Thanh Chuong district, are present on the archipelagos to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. Mr. Trinh Van Nha - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district said: "From this exhibition, every sector, every level, every citizen, every student in Thanh Chuong district are all active propagandists of the sovereignty of Vietnam's borders, seas and islands, raising their awareness and responsibility towards the Fatherland".

Importantly, through the historical and legal evidence at this exhibition, Vietnam's undeniable sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Truong Sa and Hoang Sa is affirmed. The exhibition is also an activity to express gratitude to compatriots, comrades, and scholars at home and abroad who have worked hard to collect, preserve, and pass on to present and future generations valuable documents about the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa; contributing to encouraging the entire Party, the entire army, and the entire people to strengthen the spirit of solidarity, unify the will and actions to continue to persevere in the struggle to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Hao - Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Information and Communications, "Organizing an exhibition to introduce historical and legal evidence of Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos to the people of localities in the province is an extremely necessary task; contributing to raising awareness, affirming the spirit of solidarity and sense of responsibility of the people of the province, especially the youth in the work of preserving and protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland; as well as reminding every citizen to always be grateful to the generations of fathers and brothers who sacrificed to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland". According to the plan in July 2017, the Provincial People's Committee will organize an exhibition in Anh Son district.

Le Thanh