The traditional carp release ceremony, a ritual marking the transition from the old year to the new, is an important part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam.

Vietnam continues to demonstrate its active participation in the pursuit of world peace by sending eight officers to peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.

Outstanding research works on the East Sea in 2015 were honoured by the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS) of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi on March 21.

Australia and Singapore have reiterated their commitment to the rights of states to freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, amidst rising tension in the region caused by China’s unilateral acts.

The East Sea issue was one of the main topics discussed at an international conference held in New Delhi, India on March 18.

Lighthouses on Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago guide ships at night and confirm Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.

​The Korea Times of the Republic of Korea has recently run an article citing regulations stipulated in international law to prove that the U-shaped line claimed by China in the East Sea is not China’s baseline.

Sea law experts and researchers, policy makers, diplomats and scholars have agreed on the need to address disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

At a regular press conference of Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesman Le Hai Binh said Vietnam protests Chinese ships attacking fishing boats of Vietnamese fishermen.

On March 15, Vietnamese expats living across Europe sent the European Parliament (EP) an open letter expressing their concerns over Chinese unilateral moves that have provoked escalating tension in the East Sea. ​

A photographic exhibition featuring the beauty of homeland of the Hoang Sa Flotilla, the central coastal province of Quang Ngai, was opened at the Vietnam`s Center for Archive and Photographic Exhibition in Hanoi on March 12.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in collaboration with the Vietnam Navy launched the “Truong Sa xanh” (Green Truong Sa) programme for the 2016-2018 period on March 10.

The Cam Ranh International Port in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa was inaugurated at a ceremony on March 8.

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Presidential Council asserts its absolute support for Vietnam as well as the country’s efforts to protect the national sovereignty and sovereign right in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

On March 3, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh was speaking at a regular press conference while replying reporters’ question about Vietnam’s next steps in response to China’s continuation of moves causing tensions in the East Sea.

An exhibition of historical evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on March 2.

Singapore has suggested a new concept called the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) to parties involved to avoid accidental miscalculations that could lead to conflict at sea.

An exhibition of historical evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on March 2.

On February 25, Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh voiced Vietnam’s response to China’s deployment of weapons to Vietnam’s Phu Lam or Woody Island in Spratly Archipelago.

A seminar titled “East Sea: security and economic implications” took place in New Delhi, India on February 24, attracting prestigious scholars from India and diplomatic corps from Russia, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on February 23 that the militarisation of facilities in the East Sea does not help resolve maritime claims.

On February 24, a seminar titled “East Sea: security and economic implications” took place in New Delhi, India, attracting prestigious scholars from India and diplomatic corps from Russia, Japan, Australia and Singapore.