Map of the Xisha Islands
According to reports from China National Radio, the China National Tourism Administration has revealed that tourism to the Xisha Islands will soon be opened to general tourists.
Located southeast of Hainan Island and south of the Tropic of Cancer, the Xisha Islands boast superior natural conditions that have created their unique landscape. Since last year, tourism authorities in Hainan have been working on development plans for Xisha tourism.
Deng Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Hainan Tourism Development Commission: “The planning is underway, and specific proposals are also being developed. We hope to launch marine tourism trips to the Xisha Islands within this year. The first step will be opening up tourism to the Xisha Islands, followed by developing tourism on uninhabited islands near Hainan Island.”
Currently, the route to the Xisha Islands has been finalized — cruises from Haikou and Sanya to the North Reef of the Xisha Islands and nearby islets, operated by the cruise ship “Princess Coconut.”
Military expert Yin Zhuo: “According to the traditional international law principle of prior occupation: first, discovery and naming; second, initial operation and development; third, initial implementation of jurisdiction and exercise of sovereignty. Developing tourism is part of that operational development. Especially with cruises going there, it is certainly very beneficial for asserting our sovereignty and consolidating our presence in the Xisha Islands.”
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