(VOVworld) - 55 paintings and sculptures related to Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty are on display at an exhibit which opened Wednesday in Hanoi. The exhibit is an assertion of Vietnam’s great unity and sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in the face of China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Painter Nguyen Thanh Chuong told VOV: "I think every Vietnamese has his own way to contribute to protecting national sovereignty. We painters use our brushes to express our patriotism and protest China. We demand that China withdraw its oil rig unconditionally from Vietnam’s sea. Vietnam loves peace and never wants war. But we will never submit ourselves to others."

Tran Khanh Chuong, President of the Vietnam’s Fine Arts Association, said: "We call on artists nationwide to create more art works about Vietnam’s sea and islands to contribute to the defense of national sovereignty. After this exhibit, the Association plans to organize 3 more exhibits featuring Truong Sa, propaganda paintings on national sea and island protection, and the East Sea."
The exhibit will run until next Tuesday.