The 5^th regional workshop for Party newspapers in the central region took place today (26 March) at the Minh Toan Galaxy Hotel in Da Nang.  This year, the theme was “Publicising Viet Nam’s Sovereignty in the Bien Dong (East Sea) in Party Newspapers”.  Reporters from the Da Nang Newspaper interviewed some participants at the workshop to collect their opinions about this important event.

The Head of the Ha Noi Department of Publicity and Training, reporter Ho Quang Loi, remarked that he highly appreciated the significance of the workshop’s theme because the Bien Dong is vital to Viet Nam.  In particular, Viet Nam is now facing the challenges of the sea-related disputes, especially after China illegally positioned the HD-981 oil drilling rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone last year.

An elderly citizen from Hai Duong Province donated a 100m2 Vietnamese flag to the Hoang Sa Island District People’s Committee

The Hanoian guest added that it was a good idea for the Da Nang Newspaper to host this year’s workshop because the sacred Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago is now under the administrative management of Da Nang.  Most notably, this city has in recent years successfully organised numerous practical activities to publicise Viet Nam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.  He added that this year’s workshop helped Party newspapers, and media agencies in general, to identify effective ways to improve the quality of their publicity about our national sovereignty.  This will actively contribute to promoting Viet Nam’s unceasing righteous struggle for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Head of the Da Nang Department of Publicity and Training, Mr Nguyen Thanh Quang, remarked that the Da Nang Newspaper, which is one of the city’s official media agencies, has taken positive steps to publicise the Bien Dong issue to local government officials, Party members, people from all walks of life, and international friends.

In the context of China illegally placing its oil rig in Viet Nam’s territory waters last year, the newspaper published many articles which re-affirmed Viet Nam’s legitimate claims over the 2 archipelagos as well as strongly condemned China’s wrongful actions.  Also last year, the newspaper transparently publicised the guidelines, policies and solutions of the Party and the State about the sea-related disputes.  This helped to raise awareness of the protection of national sovereignty amongst local citizens, as well as prevent hostile forces from distorting the truth and making plots and actions of sabotage and aggression against the Party, the State and the city’s government.

Through its English online edition, the newspaper has promptly introduced international friends to the situation in the Bien Dong, along with the valuable documents which re-affirm Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the 2 archipelagos.

The Vice Chairman of the Ly Son Island District People’s Committee in Quang Ngai Province, Ms Pham Thi Huong, affirmed that Viet Nam’s sovereignty in the Bien Dong is a very concerning issue which is drawing a great deal of attention from ministries and agencies, citizens nationwide, and international friends.  She added that the workshop showed the firm political stance of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and the Central Commission for Publicity and Training in upholding patriotism amongst Vietnamese people from all walks of life and actively encouraging fishermen nationwide to stay determined to conduct their fishing activities in Viet Nam’s waters.