More power to protect sea and island sovereignty

(Baonghean) - The situation in the East Sea is extremely complicated with sovereignty disputes between many countries in the region. In that context, the exhibition of maps and documents "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa of Vietnam - Historical and legal evidence" in Vinh City attracted a large number of people from all walks of life to visit. The activity brought practical results in fostering patriotism, consolidating great solidarity, and arousing awareness of protecting sovereignty over seas and islands among all walks of life.

During the historic May days, in addition to activities towards the origin, Nghe An and the Ministry of Information and Communications organized an exhibition of maps and documents "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa of Vietnam - Historical and legal evidence". Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh (24 years old, Vinh City) who attended the exhibition said: "Coming here, seeing the ancient documents and maps proving Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, I feel that I must further enhance my responsibility to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. The exhibition has a very special meaning for me as well as many young people...". There were also many children who came to visit, shining with Team badges and red scarves. The presentations about the history of the struggle for independence and protection of the sea and islands of previous generations provided the children with a lot of knowledge and fostered patriotism. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, a 6A student at Cua Nam Secondary School in Vinh City, shared: “Through the exhibition, I have gained more knowledge about history and better understanding of our country’s sovereignty over seas and islands. My friends and I will try to study hard so that in the future we can contribute to protecting our homeland and country.”

The exhibition on sea and island sovereignty attracted the participation of many students.

The exhibition has 6 main contents, in which the highlight is the display of documents related to the process of establishing and implementing Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands from the 17th to the 20th century such as: The set of royal records of the Nguyen Dynasty dating from the Minh Mang Dynasty (1820 - 1841) to the Bao Dai Dynasty (1926 - 1945); a collection of 102 publications published in Western countries from the 18th to the 19th century with information related to the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa of Vietnam. In addition, there are 95 maps and 4 Atlases, research works by Vietnamese and international scholars published at home and abroad affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos... The exhibition, taking place from May 26 to 30, will be an opportunity for people in the province to see with their own eyes the authentic evidence of sovereignty over the sea and islands, thereby further affirming the will, building a great solidarity bloc, creating strength to prevent invading forces, and protecting the airspace and sea of ​​the homeland.

The exhibition's influence not only has educational significance for the people but also creates an impact on friends and international public opinion about Vietnam's just stance, legal and practical bases on sovereignty over seas and islands, thereby creating consensus and support. Previously, in 2014, the province organized many large-scale competitions and exhibitions on sovereignty over seas and islands. The contest "Learning about Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands" in the form of online on the province's electronic information portal over 6 weeks had 133,958 participants. In particular, the art program "Nghe An Youth with the homeland's seas and islands" took place at a time when China illegally placed the Haiyang 981 drilling rig in our country's waters, strongly affecting patriotism and awareness of protecting sovereignty over seas and islands among all classes of people. Those activities have become effective propaganda channels, stimulating the national pride of each citizen, especially the young generation, to form a sustainable strength in the struggle against China's plot to monopolize the East Sea.

Many officers and soldiers are attentively studying the evidence proving that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam.

Along with the above activities, along the sea route, authorities at all levels coordinated with the Border Guard force to encourage people to go out to sea, ensuring economic development, while protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Offshore fishing fleets always fluttered the red flag with the yellow star of the Fatherland, fishermen were not shaken, actively stayed at sea, coordinated with functional forces to maintain the sovereignty of the Fatherland. Mr. Bui Dinh Sam, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, said: "The province will continue to promote propaganda, timely and widely disseminate the Party and State's policies and laws on issues related to the sea and islands; at the same time, encourage and motivate cadres, soldiers, people, and forces to protect security and sovereignty of the sea and islands; foster love and sense of responsibility of all classes of people for the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland".

Article and photos:Phuong Thao