三沙

Sansha, located in the South China Sea, is the southernmost prefecture-level city in China, consisting of the Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha Islands and their surrounding waters. It has a tropical marine monsoon climate with high temperatures and abundant rainfall year-round, an average annual temperature of 26.5°C, and an average seawater temperature of around 25°C. The area boasts rich marine resources and a unique coral reef ecosystem.

Sansha has a long history, with Chinese fishermen active in the South China Sea islands as early as the Han Dynasty. On June 21, 2012, the State Council approved the establishment of Sansha as a prefecture-level city, governing the islands, reefs, and waters of the Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha Islands, with the city government seated on Yongxing Island. It was officially inaugurated in 2013, marking a further strengthening of China's administrative jurisdiction over the South China Sea islands.

Sansha's culture is centered on the ocean. Fishermen have fished in the South China Sea for generations, forming a unique navigational culture known as the 'Geng Lu Bu' (compass manual). The cuisine features seafood, with specialties including steamed grouper, garlic steamed lobster, and coconut chicken. Traditional folk activities such as sea worship and dragon king parades are also preserved.

In recent years, Sansha has actively promoted infrastructure construction. Yongxing Airport has opened, and desalination plants, power stations, hospitals, and schools have been built. At the same time, the marine economy is being vigorously developed, including fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy, making Sansha a frontline for China's rights protection and development in the South China Sea.