A requiem to pray for Vietnamese soldiers, who died during a battle to defend Gac Ma Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago 29 years ago, was held in Phung Nguyen pagoda in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on April 9.
The ceremony was organized by the Buddhist association of Phap Mon Vietnam pagoda in the RoK in cooperation with the Vietnamese Students Association, the Vietnam cultural centre in the country and the fund for Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty.
Speaking at the event, nun Thích Nữ Giới Tánh expressed gratitude towards soldiers who fought to protect the national sea and island sovereignty, stressing that Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos are integral parts of the country.
Participants recalled the battle and sacrifices of the soldiers killed in action at Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago on March 14, 1988.
They offered incense to pray for the heroes.
In the framework of the event, an exhibition was arranged, introducing ancient documents affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, and photos related to China’s illegal actions.
The requiem and photo exhibition promoted solidarity among Vietnamese communities in the RoK and helped RoK friends understand more about historical evidence affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelagos.
Source: en.nhandan.com.vn
