At several international seminars recently, some senior officials, generals, diplomats and scholars of China claimed that the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 is positioned within the exclusive economic zone of Hoang Sa archipelago of China.

On March 3, 1925, the Governor General of Indochina issued a statement confirming that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam. Thus, even in the French-ruled period, Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos continued.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many Chinese ancient documents show that China’s southeastern frontier ends at Hainan Island and Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam.

In the 15th century, Western missionaries and traders set foot in the "mysterious East". In Vietnam, commercial stations and commercial ports for European traders were set up in Dang Trong (the south) and Dang Ngoai (north).

 The so-called “U-shaped” line China has drawn by itself in the East Sea as well as its recent moves are the main causes of the complicated and tense situation in the region.

VietNamNet Bridge - The recent development in the East Sea has become especially dangerous as China’s absurd claims of sovereignty continue, despite international law and historical practice.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prior to 1909, Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes were administrative units of the Nguyen Dynasty, and were strictly organized and managed by the central government.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Austrian National Library holds materials proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, a scholar from the University of Vienna’s Institute for East Asian Studies confirmed.

The Subscription Concert vol.71 of Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra will take place at Hanoi Opera House on June 25 and 26 under baton of Famous Italian conductor Andrea Pestalozza.

 VietNamNet Bridge – There is growing concern about increased tension in the East Sea after China illegally placed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the sea.

Chinese ships yesterday continued to encircle Vietnamese fishing surveillance vessels and then retreat, apparently to make it look like the Chinese were being rammed.

VietNamNet would like to introduce a series of articles on ancient documents proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly).

Chinese ships on June 12 continued to encircle and cut off Vietnamese Fisheries Surveillance vessels and then retreat in order to photograph and film misleading footage aimed to make it look like they were being rammed by Vietnamese ships.

China is trying to create “a fait accompli" to rationalise its presence in the areas it uses force to occupy the East Sea.

Tension has continued to escalate in the East Sea as China has maintained the presence of a large number of ships around the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, according to the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency reporters, Dr. Ta Van Tai – lawyer, former lecturer and currently researcher at Harvard Law School – said there were two international legal arguments showing that China's explanation was absurd.

VietNamNet Bridge – China has been engaging increasingly in impudent behavior in recent days as it continues to argue in favor of its aggressive acts in the East Sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Defending the national sovereignty requires sacrifices but it is the fine tradition of Vietnamese people that has been consolidated throughout the history.

Xisha islands - Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago – should belong to Vietnam as both mainland China and Taiwan have never actually controlled this territory, said Chinese citizen Zhang Pei Qiang.

The ‘2nd Flower and Sun’ painting exhibition, which opened on June 1 in Hanoi, offers a chance to contemplate works by child painters and helps adults relive their childhood.