People in the Truong Sa island district, central coastal Khanh Hoa province, have turned the remote area into a beautiful and prosperous land since its liberation 30 years ago, said Vice Chairman of the district People's Committee Nguyen Viet Hoan.

The local official praised efforts made by the people and soldiers in the Truong Sa island district in overcoming difficulties to protect the sovereignty of the country's  sea and island areas, as the district celebrated the 30th liberation anniversary of Truong Sa archipelago (the Spartlys) with a ceremony on April 27.

Vice Chairman Hoan said the liberation of Truong Sa archipelago at 9 a.m on April 29, 1975, was of strategic significance for the liberation of the whole of southern Vietnam and for the reunification of the country.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien stressed Truong Sa's strategic position in national defence and construction. He told the armed forces based on the islands to keep up their vigilance, to be ready to cope with any development, to protect the land, and join local people in economic and cultural development. (VNA)