Close to 300 units and thousands of individuals nationwide have donated VND17.3 billion (USD831,730) and goods in support of people and soldiers on Truong Sa (Spratly) islands.

The figures were released at a ceremony in Cam Ranh city in central Khanh Hoa province, on September 10 to sum up the first phase of a programme entitled “Contributing stones to build the Truong Sa island district launched by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper in May.

At the ceremony, the newspaper representative handed over VND15 billion (USD721,153) to the Truong Sa district People’s Committee to build public works on the islands.

The programme called on people throughout the country to contribute money to help the island district upgrade clinics, wind power stations and other works.

On this occasion, the Tuoi tre newspaper organised an exchange programme for young people and Truong Sa soldiers.