A recently-published Japanese book reveals European marine navigators had acknowledged Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes in the East Sea since the 16th century.

The book was compiled by Associate Professor Kawashima, former lecturer of the University of Tokyo, and was released by Fushosha Publishing House. 

The map "India Orientalis" was made in the 16th century

According to the author, Dutch navigator Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) made a map called “India Orientalis”, in which both Paracel and Spratly archipelagoes were connected like a knife and was named Pracel. In addition, the central coast of Vietnam opposite to the archipelagoes was named Costa de Pracel. 

In another map called “Siam and the Malay Archipelago" published by The Times Atlas - Printing House Square in London, England, in 1896, there was a clear distinction between Paracel islands and Spratly islands with those stretching along the central coast of Vietnam, with clearly given names. 

The map "Siam and the Malay Archipelago" was made in 1896

In particular, there were islands in the Spratly archipelago using Vietnamese names such as Thi Tu and Loai Ta, which indicates that the Vietnamese people managed these islands and they were accepted by European cartographers.

With these two important historical documents, Associate Professor Kawashima asserted that China's recent sovereign claims over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes in the East Sea were unfounded, taking into account the fact that both the Ming and Qing dynasties of China imposed travel restrictions, banning Chinese people from sailing abroad at the time.