Prague (VNA) – Pavel Herman, a Czechjournalist, has published a book titled “Vietnam- past, present and future”which presents his views on the land, history, culture and people of Vietnam.

The book provides readers with an overallpicture of the Southeast Asian country, from the nature and climate to itspolitical system, administration, economy, culture and religions.

In his book, Herman has affirmed the role andleadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in the cause of national defence,building and development in Vietnam, while expressing his admiration for latePresident Ho Chi Minh.

The book devotes one part to the author’sstudy on the seas and islands of Vietnam. Herman said the East Sea plays an important role in Vietnam’s economy aswell as national defence and security.

The CPV and the Vietnamese State have attachedimportance to the maritime strategy, aiming to turn Vietnam into a strongnation based on its marine economy, and ensure the country’s sovereignty andsovereign right to seas and islands.

The journalist presented legal and historicalevidence, and dozens of ancient maps proving that Hoang Sa (Paracel) and TruongSa (Spratly) archipelagos belong to Vietnam’s sovereignty and are an integralpart of the country’s territory.

Mentioning disputes in the East Sea, Hermansaid the area has become a hot spot on the international map. He asserted thatChina’s reclamation and construction of man-made islands, and militarizationhave violated international law, increased tensions in the region and seriouslythreatened peace and stability in the East Sea.

He held that ensuring peace, stability, andsafety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is of specialsignificance.

Concerned countries should push thesettlement of disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law,he said.

Discussing the reform, integration anddevelopment process in Vietnam, the author stressed the sound decision of theCPV to implement the reform policy since 1986 until now.

Over the past 30 years of reform, Vietnam hasrecorded significant achievements in economic development, improving people’sliving standards, ensuring social welfare, stabilising the political system andperfecting the legal system, according to the book.

The book describes the achievements as animportant foundation for Vietnam to materialise its policy of multilateralization and diversification of international relations, extensive andintensive integration into the region and the world.

Herman highlighted Vietnam’s increasingprestige and position in the international arena.

Regarding the bilateral ties between Vietnamand the Czech Republic, the author emphasised the two countries’ traditionalrelationship and reviewed the bilateral cooperation in different areas, frompolitics, to economy, trade, culture and education.

He also praised the Vietnamese community inthe Czech Republic for their hardworking spirit.

Herman told the Vietnam News Agency that thesocialist model in Vietnam, especially the country’s successful implementationof the reform policy, is an interesting topic.

The journalist said he wants to give readersa multidimensional view on the present disputes in the East Sea.-VNA