To mark the 89^th anniversary of Viet Nam’s Revolutionary Press Day, Da Nang’s leaders met with representatives from city-based media agencies on Wednesday morning.  At the event, twenty local reporters were honoured in recognition of their successful working trips to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.  Their trips aimed to gather more information about the current situation in the East Sea.

On behalf of the city’s leaders, the Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Mr Tran Tho, extended his thanks to the local media agencies for their significant contributions to the city’s progress over recent years.

Mr Tran Tho (centre right) presenting flowers to the reporters

In reply to a reporter asking about China’s deliberate attack on the fishing boat DNa 90152 from Da Nang on 26 May, Secretary Tho confirmed that the damaged boat will be put on display at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House.  He added that the boat would be convincing prooof of the inhumane actions by the Chinese.  In addition, film footage which captured a Chinese ship ramming a Vietnamese fishing boat will be screened widely to both local residents and visitors.

The city leader also vowed that financial aid from the city’s budget would be given to the owner of the capsized fishing boat to help her build a replacement boat.  In addition, local fishermen will enjoy reductions in insurance premiums for their boats, ranging from 50% to 100% depending on their capacity.

Secretary Tho remarked that Viet Nam has adequate legal historical evidence which firmly proves that the Hoang Sa archipelago is an integral part of its national territory.  However, the Vietnamese government is carefully considering the most appropriate timing to sue China for its violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty.  He emphasised that the local authorities strongly support a lawsuit against the Chinese for their intentional attack on 26 May.  He stressed the need to take full advantage of the judicial assistance from the Vietnamese ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, along with other relevant agencies, to complete the legal procedures for suing China.