June 21, 2012

The State Council approves establishing Sansha as a prefecture-level city to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and surrounding waters.

July 19

The People's Liberation Army Guangzhou Military Command says the Central Military Commission has authorized forming a garrison on Sansha.

July 24

China officially establishes the city of Sansha on Yongxing Island, with Xiao Jie elected as its first mayor.

Aug 25

The city's first infrastructure projects get underway, including a sewage disposal factory and sewage pipe network and a waste transfer station on Xisha Islands.

Nov 27

The Sansha government signs a strategic cooperation agreement with the China Shipbuilding Industry to help Sansha boost development of its marine industry.

Nov 28

The city authority issues its first environmental protection declaration, stating groundwater exploration will be suspended before 2015.

February 2013

The Sansha's city plan is submitted to the State Council for approval.

March

Hainan provincial government says South China Sea Satellite TV and the Sansha Daily newspaper will be established within the year to report on construction, economic development and environmental protection.

April 28

About 100 Chinese tourists embark on a four-day voyage to Xisha Islands on the Coconut Princess, the only cruise ship allowed to sail to Sansha.

July 17

The first batch of 10 ID cards and 68 residential permits are issued to Sansha residents.

July 19

Phase 1 of a port for civil use on Yongxing Island is completed. It has nine berths and cost about 340 million yuan ($56 million).

(China Daily 10/04/2013 page7)