World atlas affirming Vietnam's sovereignty publicised

Maps published by China up to the beginning of the 20th century included in the atlas do not demonstrate China's southernmost territory was below the 18th parallel, totally coinciding with those of western countries. And this means China does not have sovereignty over Vietnam's Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

Speaking at a ceremony to receive the atlas, Minister Nguyen Bac Son said the situation in the East Sea was complicated by China's illegal placement of rig Haiyang Shiyou - 981 in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. However, Vietnam was persistently abiding by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

The minister described the atlas as a valuable document, and thanked scientists, organisations and individuals for their efforts in collecting the maps.

(Source: Nhandan Online)