Experts believe that China already has a significant presence in the East Sea, going ahead of the US, and will use this advantage to force small countries to follow them.

32 years ago, on March 14 1988, 64 Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed in the battle of protecting Gac Ma Island (Johnson South Reef), part of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.

Vietnam is taking its claim of legitimate sovereignty over Paracel and Spratly archipelagos to the national and international court of public opinion, with major exhibitions to be held in France, Russia, the US and the Czech Republic.

The Chinese are using "the trick of puns" to "trap" Vietnam by saying that their operations in the Paracels took place within the territorial waters and the contiguous zone of this archipelago, says the former head of the National Border Committee.

 VietNamNet’s Huynh Phan talked with Tran Huy Cong, representative of the Japanese television broadcaster NDN in Vietnam, about his journey to Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands in late May.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Researchers and authorities yesterday (May 13) affirmed that the World Atlas drawn by Belgian geographer Philippe Vandermaelen proved Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Paracels and Spratlys.

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island and 8 others in Truong Sa Archipelago are not only beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirm the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam.