Vietnam / China: Map of Tonkin (Vietnam) China, Formosa (Taiwan) and Luzon (Philippines), Rigobert Bonne, 1771. Detail showing Gulf of Tonkin, Paracels Islands and Hainan Island.

Carte Hydro-Geo-Graphique des Indes Orientales en deca et au dela du Gange avec leur Archipel Dressee et assujettie aux Observations Astronomiques, by cartographer Rigobert Bonne (1727-1795).

Bonne's 1771 map of Tonkin and the South China Sea / East Sea is important and controversial as it clearly shows Hainan Island (yellow outline) belonging to China and, more significantly, the Paracel Islands - currently disputed between China and Vietnam but occupied by the former - in green, as Vietnamese territory. The disputed Spratlys are not shown on the map.

In 1771 Tonkin was ruled by the Trinh Lords (1545-1787), specifically by the 10th Trinh Lord, Trịnh Sâm (Ruled 1767 - 1782 under the title Tinh Do Vương).

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History