Sansha
Sansha
三沙市 | |
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Skyview of Anphitrite Group and Woody Island | |
![]() Location Sansha jurisdiction (in pink) in Hainan | |
Location of the major islands in Sansha | |
Country | People's Republic of China |
Province | Hainan |
Prefecture | 24 July 2012 |
City seat | Woody Island (Yongxing Dao) |
Government | |
• CPC Municipal Party Secretary | Fu Zhuang (符戆) |
• Mayor | Xiao Jie (肖杰) |
Area | |
• Land | < 13 km2 (< 5 sq mi) |
• Water | ~2,000,000 km2 (~772,000 sq mi) |
Population (2013)[1] | |
• Total | 1,443 |
Time zone | UTC+8 (China Standard Time) |
Postal code | 573100 |
Website | www.sansha.gov.cn |
Territorial Dispute: There are on-going territorial disputes in the entire area covered by the city, whose administrative authority is not internationally recognized. |
Sansha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() "Sansha", as written in Chinese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 三沙 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hanyu Pinyin | Sānshā | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postal | Samsha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | three sands (referring to the Chinese names for the three island groups) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sansha is a prefecture-level city of Hainan province of the People's Republic of China. It administers (actually or nominally) several island groups and undersea atolls in the South China Sea including the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands and the Macclesfield Bank, and a number of other ungrouped maritime features.[2] The entire territory is disputed,[3][4][5] and the PRC's de facto control over the area varies.
Sansha has equal administrative status to a prefecture-level city, and was created on 24 July 2012.[6] The establishment of Sansha is simply an upgrade of the administrative status of these island groups from the previous county-level Administrative Office,[2] and construction of a city is not actually underway. However, a garrison may be established.[7][8]
Foreign reaction to the declaration was not positive. The United States Department of State called the change in the administrative status of the territory "unilateral", and the move has received criticism from nations engaged in the South China Sea dispute, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam.[9]
The centre of government for Sansha is located on Woody Island (Yongxing Dao) in the Paracels,[10] where about 1,000 Chinese (PRC) reside.[8] With a land area of 210ha, Woody Island is the largest contiguous land area in the South China Sea.[11] The total land area of Sansha, which includes the islands in the Paracel and Spratly groups, is less than 5 square miles (13 km2)*.[12] Nationally, Sansha is the smallest prefecture-level city, by both population and land area, but the largest by total area,[13] and is also the southernmost prefecture-level city of the PRC.
On 16 February 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the Chinese had deployed HQ‑9 surface‑to‑air missiles on the island.[14]
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
Following being given approval by the State Council on 24 March 1953,[15] the "Guangdong Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority" was established as a county-level administrative division on Woody Island (Yongxing Dao). During the Cultural Revolution, when Revolutionary Committees were being set up across the country, the Authority was upgraded to the "Guangdong Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Revolutionary Committee" on 4 March 1959.[15] On 22 October 1981 the original Authority was restored.[citation needed] Administration was transferred to Hainan on National Day,[when?] 1984, when the Hainan Administrative Region was established,[citation needed] followed by the establishment of Hainan Province on 13 April 1988.[citation needed] On 19 September 1988,[15] the Authority's name was officially changed to the "Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority". On 25 December 2006, Woody Island census-town's first-ever Residents' and Fishermen's Congress was held.[citation needed] Three representatives at the township and village levels were selected to represent the census-town's Neighborhood Committee of the North and South Villages. The Neighborhood Committee began work on Woody Island the following day with an office at the Border Guards of the Paracels' Police Station. These were the first ever actual subdivisions created within the county-level authority.[15]
The prospect of the establishment of a "city" on Woody Island was first mooted on 19 November 2007 in a report by Mingpao, a Hong Kong-based newspaper, through a telephone interview with a Mr. Zhang of the Propaganda Department of Wenchang, Hainan. This report claimed that a county-level city was to be established by the PRC State Council in November 2007 to administer three disputed archipelagos in the South China Sea:[16] the Paracel Islands, Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands) and the Spratly Islands. This was to replace the county-level "Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority". The city of Wenchang would provide[vague] supplies and logistics to the to-be-established city.
On 23 July 2012 the PRC Central Military Commission announced it had authorized the People's Liberation Army Guangzhou Military Command to form a "garrison command" in Sansha City. The troops would be responsible for managing the city's national defence mobilisation, military reserve, and carrying out military operations.[17]
On 24 July 2012, the PRC officially established the city of Sansha in Yongxing Island.[6]
Administrative divisions
Sansha is governed by a municipal congress of 60 delegates directly elected, with a standing committee of 15 members.[18] It is further subdivided into 3 islands-districts at county-level, 4 towns/management committees at the township-level, and further into 11 residential communities at village-level, based on the island groups:
Division code[19] County-level divisions (International Name) |
Township-level divisions | Village-level divisions |
---|---|---|
460321[20] Xisha District (Paracel Islands) 西沙群岛 Xīshā Qúndǎo |
Yongxing Town 永兴镇 Yǒngxìng Zhèn
|
Yongxing Residential Community 永兴社区 Yǒngxìng Shèqū |
Yingqu Residential Community 营区社区 Yíngqū Shèqū | ||
Qilianyu Management Area 七连屿管理区 Qīliányǔ Guǎnlǐqū |
Beidao Residential Community 北岛社区 Běidǎo Shèqū | |
Zhaoshu Residential Community 赵述社区 Zhàoshù Shèqū | ||
Yonglequndao Management Area 永乐群岛管理区 Yǒnglè Qúndǎo Guǎnlǐqū |
Jinqing Residential Community 晋卿社区 Jìnqīng Shèqū | |
Yinyu Residential Community 银屿社区 Yínyǔ Shèqū | ||
Lingyang Residential Community 羚羊社区 Língyáng Shèqū | ||
Ganquan Residential Community 甘泉社区 Gānquán Shèqū | ||
Yagong Residential Community 鸭公社区 Yāgōng Shèqū | ||
460322[21] Nansha District (Spratly Islands) 南沙群岛 Nánshā Qúndǎo |
Direct Prefectural-controlled | Yongshu Residential Community 永暑社区 Yǒngshǔ Shèqū |
Meiji Residential Community 美济社区 Měijì Shèqū | ||
460323[22] Zhongsha District (Macclesfield Bank and Scarborough Shoal) 中沙群岛的岛礁及其海域 Zhōngshā Qúndǎo De Dǎojiāo Jíqí Hǎiyù |
(unincorporated) | none |
Controversy and protests
Because Sansha's jurisdiction comprises island groups that several nations besides the PRC claim as their own, the "city" is considered by some as controversial.
In 2007, the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam protested against the city's proposed establishment, which had been recently [23] approved by the PRC's State Council, as Vietnam claims two of the three island groups that comprise Sansha.[24] This was later followed by student demonstrations at the Chinese embassy in Hanoi, and at a consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.[25]
Days prior to the official establishment of the city in late July 2012,[6] Vietnam again stated its opposition and was joined in its protests by the Philippines.[26] The United States Department of State also weighed in on the issue stating, "we remain concerned should there be any unilateral moves of this kind that would seem to prejudge an issue."[27] The chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, Jim Webb, also made a statement regarding Sansha and questioned whether the city's creation was a violation of international law.[28] While Senator Webb stated that the establishment of Sansha was China "creating a governmental system out of nothing",[28] the Chinese government has included the island groups that comprise Sansha in its administrative structure since 1959.[29] Before these island groups were under the nominal administration of Sansha, they were nominally administered by an administrative office under the provincial government of Hainan.[10]
Initiatives
"Greening the islands"
The second stage of a greening project for Sansha was announced on 30 June 2014.[30] It states: "According to the investment plan, 18 million yuan (about 2.92 million U.S. dollars) will be used to build desalination systems and grow trees on Xishazhou Island (West Sand - NW Crescent Group) in the hope of turning the island into a new oasis." The article makes references to the greening of:
- Ganquan Island (Robert Island) - W Crescent Group between Antelope Reef and Pattle Island, where an environmental protection station was set up in February 2014
- Jinqin (Drummond Island) - E Crescent Group
- Lingyangjiao (Antelope Reef) - W Crescent Group between Money and Robert Islands
- Xishazhou Island (West Sand) - NW Crescent Group
- Yagong Island - NE Crescent Group, between Tree Island and Observation Bank
- Yinyu (Observation Bank / Silver Islet) - NE Crescent Group
- Yongxing Island (Woody Island) - Centre of Amphitrite group
- Zhaoshu (Tree Island) - N Crescent Group
It also mentions substantial infrastructure upgrades to Woody Island, including waste-water treatment, garbage aggregation and treatment, desalination (1 Mega-litre/day) and upgrades to photovoltaic equipment.
See also
- Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China
- South China Sea Islands
- Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
- Kalayaan, Palawan, Philippines
- Trường Sa, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
References
- ^ "三沙概览". sansha.gov.cn. Government of Sansha. Retrieved 13 March 2015. not including the floating population of 2,000 and more; only residents are counted
- ^ a b "China sets up Sansha City to administer South China Sea islands". Sina. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ Hiufu Wong, CNN. "China to open disputed islands to tourism". CNN. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ "China throws 'birthday party' for new city at the heart of disputed South China Sea (of course, the neighbours weren't invited)". Mail Online. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "China Declares New 'City' On Tiny, Remote Island". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "China establishes Sansha City". Xinhua. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Sansha garrison". China Daily. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ a b Lague, David (25 July 2012). "China's hawks gaining sway in South China sea dispute". Reuters. Hong Kong. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^
- "Philippines Slams China's Establishment of Sansha City in South China Sea". VOA. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- "Vietnam, Philippines refuse to recognize China's Sansha district". WantChinaTimes.com. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- Alexa Olesen (24 July 2012). "Sansha, China's New 'City', Strengthens Country's Foothold In Disputed Waters". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- "Vietnam, Philippines Slam Garrison Plans". China Digital Times (CDT). 24 July 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- Stephen Engle (15 August 2012). "Vietnam Protests China's Plans for Sansha City Garrison". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b Stirring up the South China Sea (II): Regional responses. Asia Report N°229. International Crisis Group. July 2012. p. 5. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ Pratas Island has an area of 240ha, but this includes a 60ha lagoon.
- ^ USA Today, Tiny island in South China Sea is stirring up tensions, Calum MacLeod, 12 July 2012
- ^ Alexa Olesen (Associated Press) (24 July 2012). "China dubs tiny island new city in sea claim bid". chron.com. Retrieved 24 July 2012.[dead link]
- ^ Forsythe, Michael; Soble, Jonathan; Landler, Mark; Huang, Yufan; Li, Mia (17 February 2016). "Missiles Deployed on Disputed South China Sea Island, Officials Say". The New York Times. p. A6. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 18 February 2016.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "China's Jurisdiction over the South China Sea". Beijing Review.
- ^ "Vietnam, China: The Dispute over Significant Waterways". Free Intelligence Reports. Stratfor. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.[dead link]
- ^ BBC News, China Approves Military Garrison, 23 July 2012
- ^ "Sansha government". Xinhua Net. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ 2013国家统计局统计用区划代码, National Bureau of Statistics of the PRC, 2013.
- ^ Xisha District effectively maintains control over all the features of the Paracels.[citation needed]
- ^ Nasha District has actual control over 9 features and James Shoal.[citation needed]
- ^ Zhongsha District does not have actual control of this area.[citation needed] Note also that there are no settlements and no inhabitants in this area.
- ^ "Hà Nội và Sài Gòn biểu tình chống Trung Quốc". Đài Á Châu Tự do. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Vietnam objects to China's establishment of San Sha city on the Hainan Island". Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesman Mr. Le Dzung answers questions on 3rd December 2007. Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ Symon, Andrew (20 December 2007). "China, Vietnam churn diplomatic waters". Asia Times Online. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^
- For Vietnamese stated opposition, see "REFILE-PRESS DIGEST – Vietnam newspapers – June 22". Reuters. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- For Philippines stated opposition, see "Philippines summons Chinese ambassador to protest Sansha city". Sina. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson: Daily Press Briefing, Washington, DC, July 24, 2012". United States Department of State. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Senator Webb: China's military and governmental expansion into South China Sea might be a "Violation of International Law"". United States Senate. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "China opposes US statement on S. China Sea". CCTV. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ "China Focus: South China islands see green transformation". news.xinhuanet.com. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
External links
- Sansha Government Template:Zh-cn icon
- Administrative divisions of Hainan Province
- Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority
- Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority Woody Island Census Town
- Subdivision Information of the Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority
- US criticises China garrison