Defend the sovereignty

The Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa (Paracel) flotilla soldiers (Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa) was held in An Hai communal temple, Ly Son island, the central province of Quang Ngai on April 5.

China will follow the dual-track approach agreed to by China and most ASEAN countries, peacefully and properly handle disputes left from history and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Nearly 250 delegates from 45 State-run national newspapers gathered at a conference in the central city of Da Nang on March 26 to promote the role of the press in raising awareness of the country’s sovereignty and territory.

A ceremony was held on March 13 in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa to launch construction on a memorial park dedicated to 64 naval soldiers killed during a battle to defend Gac Ma Island in Vietnam ’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago 27 years ago.

The Indonesian government must play a greater role in supporting the resolution of South China Sea disputes that involve China and four ASEAN member countries, an expert has said.

The Ministry of Information and Communications handed over 180 documents and maps on the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos to the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) and the Vietnam Youth Federation on March 11.

Vietnam opposes China’s illegal construction and expansion of structures on Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and has requested China immediately desist these wrongful actions, announced Deputy Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang during a regular press conference of the ministry in Hanoi on March 5.

Viet Nam plans to show historical evidence proving its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes abroad in 2015, according to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan.

It is possible that the accelerated rehabilitation and construction activities on the reef Gac Ma (Johnson) and Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) are part of China`s strategic intentions of giving the international community with a fait accompli before the International Court of Justice makes a judgment.

Though it is slow and difficult to identify, China’s strategy of building artificial islands in the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea – East Sea) is dangerous because of its strategic value and the ability to change face that benefits China once the island chain is fully developed .

The Prime Minister on January 9 issued a directive calling on the entire political system, agencies at all levels and the masses to join efforts to manage and safeguard the nation’s territorial sovereignty and border security.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has recently issued a Directive on organizing movements to mobilize all people to participate in protecting national sovereignty and border security in the new context.

Answing series of questions from reporters regarding the recent operation of China in the East Sea, Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang once again determinedly stressed.

More than 120 domestic and foreign scholars and cultural managers discuss the conservation and promotion of sea and island cultural values at a seminar in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province on January 5-6.

The illegal installation of China’s drilling rig HD 981 in the Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf has faced protests of Vietnamese communities worldwide. Besides, a great number of politicians from many countries have shown their support for Vietnam.

Voters in Ha Noi`s Ba Dinh, Tay Ho and Hoan Kiem districts, etc. showed their concern about developments in the East Sea.

Between May and July 2014, China unilaterally deployed a giant drilling rig in waters claimed by Vietnam as its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The move led to a fierce confrontation between Chinese and Vietnamese government vessels and saw relations between the two countries deteriorate to their lowest point since 1988.

Between May and July 2014, China unilaterally deployed a giant drilling rig in waters claimed by Vietnam as its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

An exhibition on historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos will be held in southern Kien Giang province, heard a press conference on December 21.

Disputes over the South China Sea can seem as unfathomable as the storm-swept waters that batter its contested cluster of tiny islands, uninhabitable rocks and semi-submerged reefs. The Economy & Urban Newspaper have an interview with Bill Hayton - author of The South China Sea - The Struggle for Power in Asia.