(VOVworld) - Maps demonstrating Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes drew special international attention at the ongoing 49^th International Tourism Fair (ITB) in Berlin, Germany. The maps include legal evidence of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes, where China has been illegally constructing and expanding structures.

German visitors to ITB show great concern over the maps. Photo: VNA

According to Dr. Howard Loewen of the Hamburg Institute for Peace (IFSH), China’s illegal construction and expansion of structures on rocks in the Truong Sa archipelago is a violation of international law and poses a threat to security and order in the region. He said China’s wrongful acts violate Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, signed by China and the ASEAN nations, and change the status quo in Truong Sa archipelago.

Within the fair’s framework, Vietnam organized an international press conference Thursday to promote Vietnamese tourism.