Italian author Sandra Scagliotti (middle) (Source: VNA).

The book launch ceremony was held on September 19 in Turin city, Italy, featuring the participation of many Italian scholars and friends.

Published by the “Epics Edizioni” publishing house, the book will offer Italian readers a panoramic picture of a major current issue, the East Sea, according to the views of author Sandra.

The book is a collection of articles by prestigious Vietnamese and foreign scholars featuring profound and valuable insights and useful information taken from historical, geopolitical, strategic, anthropological, and legal aspects.

It also offers compelling evidence, such as official documents of the Nguyen Dynasty, ancient documents and maps that show Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes belong to Vietnam. In addition, various issues related to maritime control strategies and the exploitation of marine resources are also addressed.

Author Sandra said the first message that she wants to present to the Italian public through the book is that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam”. The second message is that Turin is seeking and collecting historical evidence affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes.

She said many documents relating to Vietnam have been found in Turin, particularly those at the Cappuccini Church’s library where she found an ancient book “System of Universal Geography” by geographer Adriano Balbi. It was first published in 1818 and republished many times, in which Hoang Sa and Truong Sa were mentioned as archipelagos of Vietnam.

Sandra Scagliotti, who is also Vietnam's Honorary Consul in Turin and an expert on Vietnam, has taught sociology in developing countries and modern and contemporary Asian history at Turin University. She is also the author of a lot of books on Vietnam’s history and culture.

Source: NDO