Old map backs VN sovereignty claim

An old Chinese map, published in 1904 and showing the extent of Chinese territory, is on display at the Viet Nam Museum of History in Ha Noi.—File Photo.

HA NOI – An old Chinese map indicating the extent of the country's territory and proving Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos, has been put on display at the Viet Nam National Museum of History in Ha Noi.

The map, published during China's Qing dynasty in 1904, shows China's territory to the south only extended to Hainan Island. The map will be on show until the end of November this year.

The map shows the administrative boundaries of all Chinese provinces at the time. It has great historical value providing international and domestic scientists, researchers and visitors, especially Chinese people, with evidence and legal proof confirming Viet Nam's sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

The map was given to the museum last week by Dr Mai Ngoc Hong, a former official of the Institute of Han Nom (Han Chinese and Vietnamese ideography script) Research. The map was printed in colour by the Shanghai publishing house, and measures 115cm by 140cm.

The display is expected to raise a sense of civic responsibility for every Vietnamese citizens in protecting the country's sovereignty over the country's islands and sea.

Many domestic and foreign documents relevant to trade activities and Viet Nam's sovereignty over islands and sea are also on display at the museum. – VNS