World Oceans Day, Sea and Island Week promoted

A ceremony took place in the coastal central city of Quang Ngai on June 8 marking the World Oceans Day (June 8) and the 2015 Vietnam Sea and Island Week (VSIW).

The ceremony attracts thousands of local people.
The ceremony attracts thousands of local people.

Themed “Green Ocean, Green Globe”, the VSIW aims to continue affirming sovereignty over the seas and islands of Vietnam. It also asserts people’s resolution in protecting national sovereignty over seas and islands and their responsibilities in protecting, preserving and appropriately and sustainably extracting natural resources for the socio-economic development of the country.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien stressed the importance of resolute protection over national territorial sovereignty and national interests in the East Sea, strong protest against violations to national sovereignty and jurisdiction rights at sea, as well as enhanced state management over seas and islands.

Hien also asserted the necessity of boosting maritime economic development on par with the country’s position and potential in order to enrich and strengthen the nation from maritime resources; enhancing communication about seas and islands, and the oceans’ importance to a green globe; and promoting international co-operation on seas and islands.

Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee Le Quang Thich recalled when around 400 years ago, patriotic fishermen joined forces claiming national sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos while highlighting the important role of Quang Ngai province in affirming national sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

World Oceans Day, Sea and Island Week promoted ảnh 1

Delegates release fish.

After the ceremony, representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and local leaders released 2,000 fish to revive local fisheries resources. Earlier, 15,000 fish were released in Thoi Loi lake, Ly Son Islands.

On the occasion, 200 youth union members joined a bicycle tour on the My Tra-My Khe-Sa Ky Port route while 200 other members cleaned My Khe beach.