Documents found, confirming VN’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa islands
VGP – Researcher Phan Thuận An in Huế City last week found and handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a royal document, signed by King Bảo Đại (reigning from 1926 to 1945), of which the contents confirms Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
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Mr. Phan Thuận An (left) hands over the document to representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26 - Photo: Gia đình Xã hội |
The document, 21.5 x 31 cm, was discovered at the palace of Princess Ngọc Sơn, a daughter of King Đồng Khánh (reigning from 1885 to 1889). It says: On February 10, 1939, the Office of the French Resident Superior in Annam (Central Việt Nam) suggested the Royal Court to confer the grade-5 Dragon Medal on a military unit in Annam to recognize their service in establishing the outposts on Hoàng Sa.
On February 15, 1939, the document was submitted to King Bảo Đại who approved it immediately.
In early April, Vice Chairman Nguyễn Hoàng Sơn of the People’s Committee of the central province of Quảng Ngãi also handed over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a historical document proving Việt Nam’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa.
The document is an order released by the Nguyễn Royal Court on April 15, 1834. The 4-page order, 20 x 30 cm, reads: Quảng Ngãi Province was ordered by the Royal Ministry of Military Affairs and the Royal Court to dispatch a fleet of three vessels carrying eight sailors and 24 soldiers to Hoàng Sa.
Descendants of Mr. Đặng Văn Siểm, who was appointed as the steersman, decided to give their heirloom to the State after preserving it for 175 years through six generations.
By Hoàng Nguyên
