Eyes on the sea in Truong Sa Archipelago

Eyes on the sea in Truong Sa Archipelago

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island and 8 others in Truong Sa Archipelago are not only beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirm the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam. These lighthouses are never turned off, because they are lit up by the patriotism of soldiers in Truong Sa.
One day we visited the lighthouse station on Truong Sa Lon Island where we met Vu Sy Luu, a native of Hai Phong, who has worked at the lighthouse for 20 years. Luu is now the head of Truong Sa Lon Island’s lighthouse station.
The man with a small and thin figure and suntanned skin shared with us his and others silent work in the lighthouse station. In 1993, Luu was one of the first soldiers who was sent to Truong Sa Archipelago to station the lighthouses.
At that time, the whole system of lighthouses in the archipelago was lit by batteries so the lamps sometimes flickered like the tip of a cigarette. Furthermore, the conditions were so poor that the lighthouse workers like Luu had to do all the maintenance by themselves. However, the tremendous difficulties during that period did not discourage them.
At present, the living conditions at the lighthouse have improved, but their job is still very hard. The lighthouse is equipped with a system of lamps using solar power, however, to keep it ‘lit’, the lighthouse workers have to work all day and night in an extreme environment. They have regular contact with battery acid and toxic substances.
Whether sunny or rainy, calm or stormy, in any circumstances or conditions, the lighthouse is never turned off. That is the rule, because it is the rhythm and the life of the island.
The job of the lighthouse workers contains silent sacrifices. They regularly clean and conduct maintenance on the lighthouses in extreme climatic conditions, while regularly training to be ready to protect the lighthouses when necessary.
Because of the sea water, the lighthouses are often rusty. The lamps can short circuit if not maintained regularly. In the burning sunlight and rough wind, the workers have to climb up the lighthouse for maintenance. At that height, it is easy to have an accident at any time.
When we prepared to leave the lighthouse station on Truong Sa Lon Island, Luu said: “Our work is only with these lighthouses” that made us understand that they are silently sacrificing their youth to make the lighthouses illuminate forever over the sea of their country.

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island is 25m high so ships, about 18 nautical miles away, can see the light. The lighthouse lamp is regularly maintained.   The light house is built with the octagonal shape, looking to the East Sea.   The lighthouse is not only a beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirms the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam.   The spiral shaped stairs of the lighthouse is paved with granite. The lighthouse lamp is regularly maintained.   The lamp of the lighthouse has rotation cycle of 6 times/minute.   The lighthouse workers on Truong Sa Lon Island have to climb in the lighthouse to perform maintenance.   A system of batteries provides energy for the lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island.   Besides the task of guiding ships, the lighthouse workers are responsible for observing and taking notes of marine activities in the sphere of control of the lighthouse station.   Along with grid electricity, a system of solar power is used on the island.   Different kinds of vegetables are grown by the lighthouse workers on Truong Sa Lon Island.

Relaxing during free time.

Vietnam to rely on own resources to solve sea disputes: senior defense official | Look At Vietnam

Vietnam to rely on own resources to solve sea disputes: senior defense official 

June 15, 2012

 Vietnam’s Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh
Vietnam will rely on its own resources to solve sea disputes and protect its sovereignty, Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh told Thanh Nien in an interview.
The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the Shangri-La dialogue, an annual Asia-Pacific security form, held June 1-3 in Singapore.
Thanh Nien: What are the policies and preparations Vietnam has made to ensure it will not lose its East Sea rights and benefits?
Nguyen Chi Vinh: Vietnam’s stand has been consistent: protecting national sovereignty, respecting reasonable benefits of countries within and outside the region, and solving every dispute with peaceful measures and on the basis of international laws.
Therefore, over the past years, we have focused a lot on improving our national resources, stabilizing the country, and developing the economy. We have also been engaged in diplomatic activities with regional countries and joined multilateral forums, adding to the voices calling for sustainable peace in the region.
The resolution issued at the 11th session of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee marked new progress by stating that Vietnam is active and proactive in integrating with the world. The change, on one hand, helps us develop our economy and society, and stabilize the country. On the other hand, it contributes to efforts to create peace and enhance stability within the region and in the world.
Unlike last year, no serious encounter has taken place between Vietnam and China since the beginning of this year. What is the reason for this?
It is true that over the past year we have, step by step, built a trustworthy base for the two countries’ relationship (to grow). However, we can’t be too optimistic, and have to continue talking practical and detailed actions. To achieve good things in reality requires continuous effort in improving cooperation, understanding and mutual benefits.
In my opinion, the most important reason is the great efforts made by both Vietnamese and Chinese leaders to create a stable and positive relationship, one of which was General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China. During the visit (last October), the two parities signed the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues. The agreement’s most important point is that based of their traditional friendship, the two countries commit to solving East Sea issues with peaceful measures and according to international laws.
The agreement’s nature, in fact, has been mentioned in previous commitments and partly reflected in the countries’ relationship with each other over the past years.
As I see it, an important point about the agreement is that it particularizes the “16 Golden Words” motto (Friendly neighborhood, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and future orientation) in the Vietnam-China relationship in solving East Sea issues. Besides, it happened right at a time when there were deep concerns about disputes, differences and conflicts between Vietnam and China, so it quickly cooled things down.
After the high-ranking leaders made commitments, our agencies have strictly followed and actively applied the principles.
In terms of defense, the countries have enhanced cooperation in navy, border defense, military areas, especially in border provinces. Economic establishments have also tried to improve cooperation and exchanges. Fishermen’s violations in the sea were handled softly, especially on Vietnam’s side.
On the other hand, we continued to expand our diplomatic relationships, joining the voice of the region and the world to solve East Sea’s issues on the basis of international laws and no violence. We also became more and more transparent and open. For example, after signing the agreement with China, many regional countries asked what the commitments were. Would they affect other countries’ benefits? Our policy is to be open about the commitments between Vietnam and China, and to clearly state that we respect the sovereignty and benefits of other regional countries as well as reasonable economic benefits of non-regional countries in the East Sea.
In Bali, Indonesia, last October, I represented Minister Phung Quang Thanh at the meeting between ASEAN defense ministers and US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. When Panetta asked me the same questions, I told him what we had achieved in the agreement with China. He said: ‘I myself and the US government totally approve and admire what Vietnam has achieved with China, especially the fact that the two sides are committed to following international laws. That you have achieved the agreement with China not only brings stability to the countries but also shows respect for the rights and benefits of other countries. It shows that you have proceeded in the right direction.’
ASEAN defense ministers also appreciated the agreement, because it not only marks progress in the Vietnam-China relationship but also in the relationship between ASEAN and China.
When sea disputes happen, what should our attitude be?
It has been accepted and approved by many countries that disputes should be solved with peaceful measures, in transparent and open ways by related parities within the region and in the world, and in compliance with international laws, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
To abide by the 1982 UNCLOS means to respect coastal countries’ sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over their continental shelf and their economic exclusive zones extending 200 nautical miles from shore.
Additionally, we have to object to the use of military as well as non-military force, also known as “soft power,” to exert pressure and make threats. We have to reject any attempts to deliberately misinterpret international laws and act differently for one’s own sake, creating the so-called ’double standards.’
Also, we must definitely not provoke or let ourselves be provoked. Instead, we need to prove to our people, the international community and the country which has disputes with us that we are just and reasonable.
But, the most important thing is that we have to rely on our own resources, political, diplomatic, economic and defense, to protect our independence and sovereignty. No depending on other countries. The power of national unification and the international community’s support are the “political edge” that we need for victory.
It is necessary to distinguish between the international community’s support for justice and dependence on other countries in solving disputes. If we are dependent or let the misunderstanding arise that we are relying on other countries’ power to solve issues, it will be very dangerous. When your ‘backer’ withdraws or strikes a compromise with the other side, you will be the first victim of making such a wrong choice.