Vietnam renews claim on Spratlys

Vietnam renews claim on Spratlys

VIETNAM: Vietnam has new evidence showing it occupied the disputed Spratly and Paracel island groups in the South China Sea many years ago, boosting its claims of sovereignty, state- controlled media in Hanoi reported on Tuesday.

Vietnamese scientists say Ly Son island off the coast of Quang Ngai province was the base of two army units which occupied, exploited and managed the Spratlys and Paracels in the early 19th century, the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper said.

The two units were established by the Vietnamese Nguyen dynasty, it said.

It said many relics of the two units remain on Ly Son, including a shrine for dead soldiers, the grave of the chief of one of the units, and shrines of families which came to the island. -- AP