The Truong Sa (Spratly) district off the
south-central province of Khanh Hoa on April 5 held a ceremony to mark the 36th
anniversary of its liberation (April 29).

Attending the function was Lieutenant-General Nguyen
Thanh Cung, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Director of the
General Political Department of the People’s Army of Vietnam, and
representatives from related departments and agencies.

36 years ago, after the glorious victories in Buon Me Thuot, Hue city , Da Nang and
Khanh Hoa, the Vietnamese naval commandos moved on to liberate the Song Tu Tay
island on the morning of April 14, 1975.

This victory was followed by the liberation of the Son Ca island on April 25,
the Sinh Ton island on April 28 and the whole Truong Sa islands on April 29.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Cung said local cadres, soldiers and residents
have brought into full play the traditions of heroism to surpass all
difficulties to protect the national sea and island sovereignty.

The Sate, Party, army and people across the country always bear in mind the
losses suffered by hundreds of families nationwide whose relatives had fallen
down for the nation’s sea and island sovereignty, said Cung.

The General insisted that the Truong Sa district Party Committee and local
residents would combine economic development with national defence and security
to build up and develop the Truong Sa area in all aspects while actively
participating in natural disaster prevention and rescue work.

Truong Sa is on the way to develop with more multifunctional establishments
meeting demands of not only national defence but also economic development and
local people’s spiritual life, he said.

He called on the Truong Sa Party Committee to create favourable conditions for
fishermen operating in the area.

Chairman of the Truong Sa district People’s Committee said both Hoang Sa (Paracel)
and Truong Sa archipelagos are parts of the nation.

VNN/VOV/VNA