The photo exhibition on protecting national seas and islands not only confirmed the sovereignty of Vietnam over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos but also deepened the belief of Vietnamese people in the leadership of the Communist Party and State in the struggle to defend the national sovereignty.
The photo exhibition on protecting national sea and islands not only confirmed the sovereignty of Vietnam over Spratly and Paracel Islands but also deepened Vietnamese belief in the leadership of the Communist Party and State in the struggle to defend the national sovereignty.
The photo exhibition on protecting national sea and islands was held at the beach park (opposing Novotel Hotel) by Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 24. About 200 exhibits featured the sovereignty of Vietnam over Spratly and Paracel Islands, China’s illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig within Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Vietnamese efforts to protect the homeland's sea and islands.
The exhibition featured a lot of significant documentation attesting to Vietnam’s sovereignty over Spratly and Paracel Islands. For example, the collection of ancient maps drawn by Western navigators hundreds years ago shows that Spratly and Paracel Islands belong to Vietnam; China’s maps indicate that China’s sovereignty ends at Hainan Island, not including the two islands. Besides, many of precious documentation like the official documents of the Nguyen Dynasty show that the Vietnam feudal dynasty sent missions to exploit and control the two archipelagos, etc.
 |
| Locals viewing photos about Vietnam’s vessels rammed by China’s ships. |
In addition, many other images affirm Spratly and Paracel Islands have been under Vietnam’s sovereignty, such as images of the works built by the French on Paracel in early 20th century, sovereignty stele built on Nam Yet Island in 1956 by the Republic of Vietnam and General Le Duc Anh taking an oath on Spratly in May, 1988, etc.
“These photos and documents convincingly confirm that Spratly and Paracel Islands are the inseparable territorial part of Vietnam. Vietnam asserted and has continuously maintained its exercise of sovereignty over the two archipelagos,” said Le Chi Huong, Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Museum.
The exhibition also included many photographs reflecting China’s illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig within Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Vietnam’s vessels rammed by China’s ships, protests with the participation of a lot of Vietnamese in and outside the nation against China’s unilateral action in the East Sea which seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty.
The organization board also quoted the statements of Vietnam’s leaders about the issues of the East Sea to help the public to understand more clearly the viewpoint of the Party and the State about the struggle to protect the national sovereignty over pur sea and islands.
The exhibition drew the attention of a large number of locals and foreign tourists. Nguyen Ngoc Phong living at Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang City said “The exhibition has a lot of precious materials and images. The display has partly helped to raise viewers's responsibility in affirming and protecting the national sovereignty over seas and islands.”
The exhibition on protecting the national sovereignty over sea and islands together with the 12th provincial public arts festival themed “Khanh Hoa with national sea and islands” effectively created a wave of propaganda about the seas and islands. Hopefully, such practical activities will deepen the belief and love for the national seas and islands of each Vietnamese.
H.N
