View source for Sansha

{{hatnote|For other places known by this name, see [[Sansha (disambiguation)]].}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sansha
| official_name      = <!-- Official name in English if different from 'name' -->
| native_name        = 三沙市
| native_name_lang   = zh
| other_name         =
| settlement_type    = [[Prefecture-level city]]
| nickname           =
| motto              =
| image_skyline      = 三沙升旗仪式.png
| imagesize          =
| image_caption      = City Hall of Sansha
| image              =
| image_seal         =
| seal_size          =
| image_shield       =
| shield_size        =
| image_blank_emblem =
| blank_emblem_size  =
| image_map          =
| mapsize            =
| image_map1         =
| mapsize1           =
| map_caption1       =
| pushpin_map        = South China Sea
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mapsize    =
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[China|People's Republic of China]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of the People's Republic of China|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Hainan]]
| subdivision_type2  =
| subdivision_name2  =
| seat_type          = City seat
| seat               = [[Yongxing Island]]<br/>([[Woody Island, South China Sea|Woody Island]])
| government_type    =
| leader_title       = [[Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary|CCP Secretary]]
| leader_name        = Yuan Guangping ({{lang|zh-hans|袁光平}})
| leader_title1      = Congress Chairperson
| leader_name1       = Wang Changren ({{lang|zh-hans|王长仁}})
| leader_title2      = Mayor
| leader_name2       = Deng Zhong ({{lang|zh-hans|邓忠}})
| established_title  = Prefecture-level city established
| established_date   = 24 July 2012<ref>{{cite news |title=South China's Sansha City boasts improved infrastructure |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/11/c_135179563.htm |access-date=1 June 2018 |publisher=Xinhua |date=11 March 2016}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     =
| unit_pref          = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_footnotes     =
| area_total_km2     =
| area_land_km2      = <13
| area_land_sq_mi    = <5
| area_water_km2     = ~2,000,000
| area_water_sq_mi   = ~772,000
| area_water_percent =
| area_urban_km2     =
| area_metro_km2     =
| population_as_of   = 2013
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|language=zh-hans|script-title=zh:三沙概览|url=http://www.sansha.gov.cn/page.php?xuh=488|website=sansha.gov.cn|publisher=Government of Sansha|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131040321/http://www.sansha.gov.cn/page.php?xuh=488|url-status=dead}} not including the floating population of 2,000 and more; only residents are counted</ref>
| population_note    =
| population_total   = 1,443
| pop_est_as_of      =
| population_est     =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_metro   =
| population_density_metro_km2 =
| population_urban   =
| population_density_urban_km2 =
| demographics_type1 =
| demographics1_title1 =
| demographics1_info1 =
| demographics_type2 =
| demographics2_title1 =
| demographics2_info1 =
| timezone           = China Standard Time
| utc_offset         = +08:00
| coor_pinpoint      = Sansha municipal government
| coordinates        = {{coord|16.8310|N|112.3386|E|type:adm2nd_region:CN-46_source:Gaode|format=dms|display=it}}
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        =
| elevation_ft       =
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in China|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 573100
| area_code          =
| iso_code           =
| website            = {{url|http://www.sansha.gov.cn/|www.sansha.gov.cn}}
| footnotes          = '''Territorial Dispute''': There are on-going territorial disputes in the entire area covered by the city, whose administrative authority is not internationally recognized.
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Sansha.svg
| piccap = "Sansha", as written in Chinese
| picsize = 125px
| title = Sansha
| c = {{linktext|lang=zh|三沙}}
| psp = Samsha
| p = Sānshā
| j = saam<sup>1</sup>saa<sup>1</sup>
| y = Sāamsā
| wuu = sae<sup>1</sup>so<sup>1</sup>
| poj = sam-sua
| hsn = siã<sup>44</sup> so<sup>44</sup>
| l = three sands (referring to the Chinese names for the three island groups)
| showflag = p
}}
'''Sansha City''' ({{zh|c=三沙市|p=Sānshā Shì}}) is a [[prefecture-level city]] under the [[Hainan province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC), and is the southernmost and least populated prefecture in China by far, with the smallest [[land area]] but the largest [[maritime territory]].{{efn|[[Taipei]], on the island of Taiwan, is slightly the smallest prefectural city by land area claimed by the PRC, but Taipei is administered by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (ROC) as its [[Special municipality (Taiwan)|special municipality]].}} The city's [[Seat (legal entity)|seat]] is located on [[Yongxing Island]] in the [[South China Sea]], and administers (actually or nominally) several [[island group]]s, [[atoll]]s, [[seamount]]s and a number of other ungrouped maritime features within the [[nine-dash line]],<ref name="SanshaRectified">{{cite web |url= http://english.sina.com/china/2012/0621/479131.html |title= China sets up Sansha City to administer South China Sea islands |publisher= [[Sina Corp|Sina]] |date=21 June 2012 |access-date=21 June 2012}}</ref> although the PRC's ''[[de facto]]'' control over the area varies.  The name "''Sansha''", literally meaning "three sands", refers to the three archipelago [[district (China)|district]]s of [[Xisha Islands|Xisha]] ({{zh|c=西沙|l=west sand}}), [[Zhongsha Islands|Zhongsha]] ({{zh|c=中沙|l=central sand}}) and [[Nansha District, Sansha|Nansha]] ({{zh|c=南沙|l=south sand}}).
Sansha was created on 24 July 2012,<ref name="xinhuaen0" /> and administers a group of 260 islands, reefs and beaches located in the [[Spratly Islands]] (Nansha), [[Paracel Islands]] (Xisha), and [[Macclesfield Bank]] (Zhongsha Islands).<ref>{{cite web |title=Sansha Travel Guide |url=https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hainan/sansha/ |website=www.travelchinaguide.com |publisher=Travel China |access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>  Reports in the ''[[China Daily]]'' stated that the establishment of Sansha was simply an upgrade of its [[administrative divisions of China|administrative status]] from the previous [[administrative divisions of China#County level (3rd)|county-level administration]] to [[administrative divisions of China#Prefectural level (2nd)|prefecture-level]].<ref name="SanshaRectified"/> Subsequent developments have turned Sansha City (located on [[Xisha District]]'s [[Yongxing Island]]) into a small town with over 1,400 residents, with a [[Yongxing Island Airport|dual-use airport]] that has a {{convert|2700|m|yd}} runway and two artificial [[harbor]]s capable of docking [[sea vessel]]s up to 5,000 tonnes.<ref name="garrison">{{cite web | url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-07/27/content_15622435.htm | title=Sansha garrison | publisher=[[China Daily]] | date=7 July 2012 | access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=hawkishreuters/>
Due to [[territorial disputes in the South China Sea]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/08/travel/china-island-tourism/ | title = China to open disputed islands to tourism |first=Hiufu |last=Wong | access-date = 18 July 2015 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/sansha-china_n_1697523.html | title = China Declares New 'City' On Tiny, Remote Island | access-date = 18 July 2015 | work = The Huffington Post}}</ref> foreign reaction to the city's establishment was not positive.  The [[United States Department of State]] called the change in the administrative status "unilateral", and the move has received criticism from nations engaged in the South China Sea dispute, particularly the [[Philippines]] as well as [[Vietnam]] and the [[Republic of China]] (ROC, Taiwan), which claims the island.<ref name="voanews.com">*{{cite web | url = http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-slams-chinese-establishment-of-city-in-south-china-sea/1443944.html | title = Philippines Slams China's Establishment of Sansha City in South China Sea | date = 23 July 2012 | access-date = 9 December 2014 | publisher = VOA}}
*{{cite web | url = http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120725000088&cid=1101 | title = Vietnam, Philippines refuse to recognize China's Sansha district | publisher = WantChinaTimes.com | date = 25 July 2012  | access-date = 9 December 2014 }}
*{{cite web | url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/sansha-china_n_1697523.html | title = Sansha, China's New 'City', Strengthens Country's Foothold in Disputed Waters | author = Alexa Olesen | date = 24 July 2012 | access-date = 9 December 2014 | work = The Huffington Post}}
*{{cite web | url = http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2012/07/vietnam-philippines-slam-chinas/ | title = Vietnam, Philippines Slam Garrison Plans | date = 24 July 2012  | access-date = 9 December 2014 | publisher = China Digital Times (CDT)}}
*{{cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-24/vietnam-protests-china-s-plans-for-sansha-city-garrison.html | title = Vietnam Protests China's Plans for Sansha City Garrison  | author = Stephen Engle   | date = 15 August 2012 | access-date = 9 December 2014 | publisher = Bloomberg News}}</ref>
== Recent history ==
{{See also|Woody Island (South China Sea)#History|l1=History of Woody Island}}
[[File:永兴岛 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Yongxing Town on Woody Island]]
In March 1953, as talks were proceeding with the French on the handing over of Hainan and territories south of [[Guangdong]] to the [[People's Republic of China]], the Chinese [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] authorized the establishment of a separate "[[Guangdong Province]] Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority" as a [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#County level|county-level administrative division]] on Woody Island (Yongxing Dao). However, the island continued to support a threadbare population of fisherfolk at that time.<ref name="Beijing Review">{{cite web |title = China's Jurisdiction over the South China Sea |url = http://www.bjreview.com.cn/Cover_Stories_Series_2012/2012-07/03/content_464506.htm |publisher=Beijing Review }}</ref> In March 1959,  this authority was upgraded to an administrative office in the name of "Guangdong Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Revolutionary Committee".<ref name="Beijing Review" /> In October 1984, the administration of Sansha consisting of Yongxing Dao (Woody Island) and other islands in the South China sea was transferred to [[Hainan]]. This coincided with the establishment of Hainan as a separate administrative region. In September 1988, 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. 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.<ref name="Beijing Review" />
<!--
Before the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea]]'s (UNCLOS III) addendums to the Law of the Sea, the Central government had always maintained a claim to nearly 3.5 million km<sup>2</sup> (1.35 million sq. mi.) in maritime area of the South China Sea {{fact|date=August 2012}}, which equated to roughly one-third of China's total land area. The Central government claimed this as part of China's sovereign [[territorial waters]], commonly known as "China's blue territories". It was delineated on maps by the 9 or 10 dashed lines. Although many Chinese maps published after UNCLOS III still retain these dashed lines, they have no legal value and are used solely as a reference line to denote that "all features (islands, reefs, banks, shoals, cays, sands) located within the dashed lines are sovereign territory of the People's Republic of China". UNCLOS III, which has been ratified by China, went into force on the 16 November 1994. New [[Baseline (sea)|baselines]] of the [[Mainland China|mainland]] and the Paracels were released on the 15 May 1996. The addendum for the EEZ's extension via [[Continental shelf#Economic significance|Continental Shelves (in the legal sense)]] was also handed to the [[Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf]] (CLCS). Coupled with officially published laws of the past, China's new [[internal waters]] and [[territorial waters]], namely, China's "blue territories", could thus be calculated to an area of approximately {{convert|31000|km2|abbr=on}}.
-->
The prospect of the establishment of a "city" on Woody Island was first publicized 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 [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|PRC State Council]] in November 2007 to administer three disputed [[archipelago]]s in the South China Sea:<ref name="Stratfor">{{cite news |url=http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=299411&selected=Analyses |title=Vietnam, China: The Dispute over Significant Waterways |work=Free Intelligence Reports |publisher=[[Stratfor]] |date=4 December 2007 |access-date=8 December 2007}}{{dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> 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|date=October 2014}} supplies and logistics to the to-be-established city.
On 23 July 2012, the PRC [[Central Military Commission (China)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-18949941 |title=China approves military garrison for disputed islands |work=[[BBC News]] |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
On 24 July 2012, the PRC officially established the city of Sansha in Yongxing Island.<ref name="xinhuaen0">{{cite news |url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-07/24/c_131734893.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120724180430/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-07/24/c_131734893.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 24 July 2012 |title=China establishes Sansha City |date=24 July 2012 |publisher=Xinhua |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref>
==Administrative divisions==
Sansha City has two districts, Xisha District and Nansha District. Xisha District administers the Xisha and Zhongsha Islands and their surrounding waters, with the district government located on Yongxing Town. Nansha District administers the Nansha Islands and their surrounding waters, with the district government located on [[Fiery Cross Reef|Yongshu Jiao]].
Sansha is governed by a
municipal congress of 60 delegates directly elected, with a standing committee of 15 members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sansha government |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-07/17/c_131721193.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729062544/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-07/17/c_131721193.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |date= 17 July 2012 |publisher=Xinhua Net |access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> It is further subdivided into 2 [[District of the People's Republic of China|districts]] at county-level, 3 [[Town (China)|towns/management committees]] at the township-level, and further into 11 [[Residential community|residential communities]] at village-level, based on the island groups:
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! colspan="2"| [[Administrative division codes of the People's Republic of China|Division code]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/tjbz/tjyqhdmhcxhfdm/2013/46/4603.html |script-title=zh:2013国家统计局统计用区划代码 |publisher=National Bureau of Statistics of the PRC, 2013 |date=2013}}</ref><br/>County-level divisions
! Township-level divisions
! Village-level divisions
! rowspan=19 | {{China Hainan Sansha}}
|-
|rowspan="9" colspan="2"| 460302<ref>{{Cite web|title=民政部关于国务院批准海南省三沙市设立市辖区的公告-中华人民共和国民政部|url=http://www.mca.gov.cn/article/xw/tzgg/202004/20200400026955.shtml|access-date=2020-07-26|work=mca.gov.cn}}</ref><br/>'''[[Xisha District]]'''<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|西沙区}}<br/>''Xīshā Qū''<br/>District seat: Yongxing town MA
|rowspan="2"|Yongxing Town Management Area<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|永兴镇管理区}}<br/>''Yǒngxìng Zhèn Guǎnlǐqū''
| [[Woody Island (South China Sea)|Yongxing]] Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|永兴社区}} ''Yǒngxìng Shèqū''
|-
|Yingqu Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|营区社区}} ''Yíngqū Shèqū''
|-
|rowspan="2"|Qilianyu Management Area<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|七连屿管理区}}<br/>''Qīliányǔ Guǎnlǐqū''
| Beidao Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|北岛社区}} ''Běidǎo Shèqū''
|-
| [[Tree Island, South China Sea|Zhaoshu]] Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|赵述社区}} ''Zhàoshù Shèqū''
|-
|rowspan="5"| Yonglequndao Management Area<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|永乐群岛管理区}}<br/>''Yǒnglè Qúndǎo Guǎnlǐqū''
| Jinqing Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|晋卿社区}} ''Jìnqīng Shèqū''<!-- Drummond Island -->
|-
| Yinyu Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|银屿社区}} ''Yínyǔ Shèqū''<!-- Observation Bank / Silver Islet -->
|-
| Lingyang Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|羚羊社区}} ''Língyáng Shèqū''<!-- Antelope Reef -->
|-
| [[Robert Island (Paracel Islands)|Ganquan]] Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|甘泉社区}} ''Gānquán Shèqū''
|-
| [[Yagong Island|Yagong]] Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|鸭公社区}} ''Yāgōng Shèqū''
|-
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="lightgrey" width="100px"|(''under Xisha'')
|rowspan="2" colspan="2"| [[Zhongsha Islands]]<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|中沙群岛的岛礁及其海域}}<br/>''Zhōngshā Qúndǎo De Dǎojiāo Jíqí Hǎiyù''<br>District seat: Huangyan
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Xisha'') [[Scarborough Shoal|Huangyan]] {{lang|zh-cn|黄岩}} ''Huángyán''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Xisha'') [[Macclesfield Bank|Zhongsha Bank]] {{lang|zh-cn|中沙大环礁}} ''Zhōngshā Dàhuán Jiāo''
|-
|rowspan="7" colspan="2"| 460303<br/>{{nowrap|'''[[Nansha District, Sansha|Nansha District]]'''}}<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|南沙区}}<br/>Nánshā Qū<br/>District seat: Nansha MA
|rowspan="7" | Nansha Management Area<br/>{{lang|zh-cn|南沙管理区}}<br/>''Nánshā Guǎnlǐqū''
| [[Fiery Cross Reef|Yongshu]] Residential Community {{lang|zh-cn|永暑社区}} ''Yǒngshǔ Shèqū''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Mischief Reef|Meiji]] {{lang|zh-cn|美济}} ''Měijì''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Subi Reef|Zhubi]] {{lang|zh-cn|渚碧}} ''Zhǔbì''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Cuarteron Reef|Huangyang]] {{lang|zh-cn|华阳}} ''Huángyáng''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Johnson South Reef|Chigua]] {{lang|zh-cn|赤瓜}} ''Chìguā''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Gaven Reefs|Nanxun]] {{lang|zh-cn|南薰}} ''Nánxūn''
|-
|bgcolor="lightgrey" |(''under Yongshu'') [[Hughes Reef|Dongmen]] {{lang|zh-cn|东门}} ''Dōngmén''
|}
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Sansha ([[Xisha District]], 1991–2020 normals)
|Jan high C = 	26.4
|Feb high C = 	27.1
|Mar high C = 	29.0
|Apr high C = 	30.7
|May high C = 	31.7
|Jun high C = 	31.8
|Jul high C = 	31.4
|Aug high C = 	31.3
|Sep high C = 	31.0
|Oct high C = 	30.0
|Nov high C = 	28.6
|Dec high C = 	26.9
|Jan mean C = 	23.8
|Feb mean C = 	24.3
|Mar mean C = 	26.1
|Apr mean C = 	28.0
|May mean C = 	29.3
|Jun mean C = 	29.7
|Jul mean C = 	29.3
|Aug mean C = 	29.1
|Sep mean C = 	28.6
|Oct mean C = 	27.6
|Nov mean C = 	26.5
|Dec mean C = 	24.8
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = 	22.3
|Feb low C = 	22.6
|Mar low C = 	24.3
|Apr low C = 	26.1
|May low C = 	27.5
|Jun low C = 	28.1
|Jul low C = 	27.6
|Aug low C = 	27.4
|Sep low C = 	26.6
|Oct low C = 	25.6
|Nov low C = 	25.0
|Dec low C = 	23.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 	18.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 	9.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 	17.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 	67.7
|May precipitation mm = 	109.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 	102.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 	205.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 	205.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 	251.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 	263.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 	126.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 	69.3
|Jan humidity = 	78
|Feb humidity = 	80
|Mar humidity = 	79
|Apr humidity = 	79
|May humidity = 	80
|Jun humidity = 	81
|Jul humidity = 	82
|Aug humidity = 	82
|Sep humidity = 	82
|Oct humidity = 	80
|Nov humidity = 	80
|Dec humidity = 	79
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 	7.8
|Feb precipitation days = 	4.6
|Mar precipitation days = 	3.5
|Apr precipitation days = 	4.7
|May precipitation days = 	8.0
|Jun precipitation days = 	9.1
|Jul precipitation days = 	10.3
|Aug precipitation days = 	12.1
|Sep precipitation days = 	15.1
|Oct precipitation days = 	17.0
|Nov precipitation days = 	13.8
|Dec precipitation days = 	13.8
|year precipitation days =
|Jan sun = 	198.3
|Feb sun = 	210.1
|Mar sun = 	260.2
|Apr sun = 	269.9
|May sun = 	277.6
|Jun sun = 	256.6
|Jul sun = 	251.0
|Aug sun = 	238.3
|Sep sun = 	210.8
|Oct sun = 	207.3
|Nov sun = 	175.1
|Dec sun = 	149.0
|year sun =
| Jan percentsun = 	57
| Feb percentsun = 	64
| Mar percentsun = 	70
| Apr percentsun = 	72
| May percentsun = 	69
| Jun percentsun = 	65
| Jul percentsun = 	63
| Aug percentsun = 	61
| Sep percentsun = 	58
| Oct percentsun = 	57
| Nov percentsun = 	52
| Dec percentsun = 	43
| year percentsun =
|source 1 = [[China Meteorological Administration]]<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans | access-date =10 October 2023}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Sansha (Shanhu), (1991–2020 normals)
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan high C = 26.8
|Feb high C = 27.9
|Mar high C = 30.0
|Apr high C = 31.8
|May high C = 32.9
|Jun high C = 33.0
|Jul high C = 32.5
|Aug high C = 32.1
|Sep high C = 31.5
|Oct high C = 30.3
|Nov high C = 28.8
|Dec high C = 27.1
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 23.9
|Feb mean C = 24.4
|Mar mean C = 26.2
|Apr mean C = 28.1
|May mean C = 29.5
|Jun mean C = 29.9
|Jul mean C = 29.3
|Aug mean C = 29.0
|Sep mean C = 28.3
|Oct mean C = 27.4
|Nov mean C = 26.3
|Dec mean C = 24.8
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = 22.2
|Feb low C = 22.5
|Mar low C = 24.1
|Apr low C = 25.8
|May low C = 27.2
|Jun low C = 27.8
|Jul low C = 27.2
|Aug low C = 26.9
|Sep low C = 26.0
|Oct low C = 25.3
|Nov low C = 24.7
|Dec low C = 23.2
|year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 22.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 9.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 13.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 60.3
|May precipitation mm = 86.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 91.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 178.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 195.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 240.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 236.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 146.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 86.3
|year precipitation mm =
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 8.7
|Feb precipitation days = 5.3
|Mar precipitation days = 4.1
|Apr precipitation days = 4.8
|May precipitation days = 7.6
|Jun precipitation days = 7.3
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 10.1
|Sep precipitation days = 14.3
|Oct precipitation days = 16.3
|Nov precipitation days = 14.3
|Dec precipitation days = 14.5
|year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity = 80
| Feb humidity = 82
| Mar humidity = 82
| Apr humidity = 82
| May humidity = 83
| Jun humidity = 83
| Jul humidity = 84
| Aug humidity = 86
| Sep humidity = 86
| Oct humidity = 84
| Nov humidity = 84
| Dec humidity = 81
| year humidity =
|source 1 = [[China Meteorological Administration]]<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans | access-date =10 October 2023}}</ref>
}}
==Industries and facilities==
{{See also|Yongxing Island Airport|List of airports in the Spratly Islands}}
The Sansha city has a [[Hukou|registered population]] of 621 (as per 2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sansha.gov.cn/sansha/ssgk/ssgk.shtml|title=市情_三沙市人民政府网}}</ref> and a resident population of around 1,800, in addition to an unknown number of military garrison personnels.  They tend to practice fishing, and selling products to the occasional cruise ship (''MV Qionghai 3'' and ''MV Sansha 1'') whose tourists visit the island.  In November 2016, the Hainan government started to allow large companies to register themselves in Sansha, by providing extensive [[Tax haven|tax benefits]] to them.  This resulted in 157 large national and multinational companies registering themselves in Sansha.<ref>{{cite news |title=China's Sansha Island draws world's largest companies |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/24/c_135855349.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104125903/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/24/c_135855349.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2018 |access-date=1 June 2018 |publisher=Xinhua |date=24 November 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, a [[government school]] and a [[public library]] were opened in the island, primarily for children of the islanders.<ref>{{cite news |title=China's southernmost school opens inc |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-09/02/c_135654567.htm |access-date=1 June 2018 |publisher=Xinhua |date=2 November 2016}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First library opened in Sansha in South China Sea |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-04/21/c_135300808.htm |access-date=1 June 2018 |publisher=Xinhua |date=21 April 2016}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the same year, a [[Desalination|desalinating plant]] was established to provide drinking water to the island's residents.<ref>{{cite news |title=New desalinator put into use in China's Sansha |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/02/c_135729180.htm |access-date=1 June 2018 |publisher=Xinhua |date=2 November 2016}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
Airports are built on several islands under Sansha City, including [[Yongxing Island]], [[Meiji Island]], [[Yongshu Island]] and [[Zhubi Island]], all of which have runways longer than {{convert|2700|m|yd}} and are suitable for planes sizing up to 4E standards, theoretically capable of landing [[Boeing 777]]s as [[diversion airport]]s.  In practice, only the [[Yongxing Island Airport]] see scheduled commercial services, onboard [[Boeing 737]] operated by [[Hainan Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/hu7417|title=Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map|last=Flightradar24|website=Flightradar24|language=en|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref> The other airports are for military use only.
<!--
[[Woody Island (South China Sea)|Woody Island]] (Yongxing Dao), the seat of Sansha city, includes an airport, harbour, medical clinic, supermarket, observatory, bank, post office and two museums. A hospital is planned.<ref name="xinhuaen0" /> The island is supplied by a freighter which hauls supplies, including drinking water, from Hainan.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/shanghai/node27118/node27818/u22ai68259.html | title=Nation's newest city takes root in South China Sea | publisher=Shanghai Municipal Government | date=25 August 2012 | access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref>  [[Yongxing Island Airport]] was completed in July 1990.<ref name=smaller>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yVDUMH6i1_QC&q=yongxing |title=The Coming Conflict with China |author1=Bernstein, Richard |author2=Munro, Ross H. |year=1998 |publisher=Vintage Books |isbn=978-0679776628 |page=74}}</ref> The length of the runway is quoted variously as 2,500,<ref name=CIAFactbook>CIA Factbook</ref> 2,600<ref name=smaller/> and 2,700 metres.<ref name="eastday">{{cite web |url=http://mil.eastday.com/eastday/mil1/m/20120604/u1a6599839.html |script-title=zh:专家建议造浮岛机场让战机作战半径覆盖南海 |publisher=Eastday |language=zh-hans |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=11 July 2012  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000055/http://mil.eastday.com/eastday/mil1/m/20120604/u1a6599839.html |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Several sources say it is capable of handling civilian aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 737,<ref name=CIAFactbook/> and [[People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force]] aircraft such as the [[Shenyang J-11#Variants|Shenyang J-11BH/S]], [[Chengdu J-10#Variants|Chengdu J-10AH/S]], and [[Sukhoi Su-30MKK]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Analysis_Chinas_air-sea_buildup_999.html |title=Analysis: China's air-sea buildup |author=Chang, Andrei |date=26 September 2008 |publisher=Spacewar.com |access-date=11 July 2012}}</ref>
In June 2014 a school construction costing US$5.8 million was started, and is expected to be completed within 18 months.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.angmalaya.net/world/2014/06/16/1053-chinese-government-to-start-building-a-school-in-disputed-island | title=Chinese government to start building a school in disputed island | publisher=Ang Malaya | date=16 June 2014 | access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref>
-->
==Initiatives==
{{see also|Great Wall of Sand}}
==="Greening the islands"===
The second stage of a greening project for Sansha was announced on 30 June 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-07/30/c_133520232.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140913172536/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-07/30/c_133520232.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 13 September 2014 |title= China Focus: South China islands see green transformation |date= 30 July 2014 |access-date= 13 September 2014 |work= news.xinhuanet.com}}</ref> 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 (Paracel Islands)|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 Island, Paracel Islands|Money]] and [[Robert Island (Paracel Islands)|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 (South China Sea)|Woody Island]]) - Centre of Amphitrite group
*Zhaoshu ([[Tree Island, South China Sea|Tree Island]]) - N Crescent Group
It also mentions substantial infrastructure upgrades to Woody Island, including waste-water treatment, garbage aggregation and treatment, desalination (1 million litres/day) and upgrades to photovoltaic equipment.
==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<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rfa.org/vietnamese/in_depth/rare-vn-demo-over-sea-dispute-with-cn-06052011093311.html | title = Hà Nội và Sài Gòn biểu tình chống Trung Quốc | access-date = 18 July 2015 | publisher = [[Đài Á Châu Tự do]] | language = vi}}</ref> approved by the PRC's State Council, as Vietnam claims two of the three island groups that comprise Sansha.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/tt_baochi/pbnfn/ns071204135539 | title=Vietnam objects to China's establishment of San Sha city on the Hainan Island |work= Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesman Mr. Le Dzung answers questions on 3 December 2007 | publisher=Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs | date=3 December 2007 | access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> This was later followed by student demonstrations at the Chinese embassy in [[Hanoi]], and at a consulate in [[Ho Chi Minh City]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IL20Ad01.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513205751/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IL20Ad01.html | url-status=unfit | archive-date=13 May 2008 | title=China, Vietnam churn diplomatic waters | work=Asia Times Online | date=20 December 2007 | access-date=7 August 2012 | author=Symon, Andrew}}</ref>
Days prior to the official establishment of the city in late July 2012,<ref name="xinhuaen0" /> Vietnam again stated its opposition and was joined in its protests by the [[Philippines]].<ref>
* For Vietnamese stated opposition, see {{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/press-digest-vietnam-idUSL3E8HM0CW20120622 | title=REFILE-PRESS DIGEST – Vietnam newspapers – 22 June | work=Reuters | date=21 June 2012 <!-- 10:56pm EDT -->  | access-date=7 August 2012}}
* For Philippines stated opposition, see {{cite web |url=http://english.sina.com/world/2012/0705/483699.html |title=Philippines summons Chinese ambassador to protest Sansha city |publisher=[[Sina Corp|Sina]] |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2012/07/195425.htm#CHINA |title=Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson: Daily Press Briefing, Washington, DC, July 24, 2012 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name=outofnothing>{{cite web |url=http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2012-07-25-03.cfm |title=Senator Webb: China's military and governmental expansion into South China Sea might be a "Violation of International Law" |publisher=[[United States Senate]] |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215031546/http://www.webb.senate.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2012-07-25-03.cfm | archive-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> While Senator Webb stated that the establishment of Sansha was China "creating a governmental system out of nothing",<ref name=outofnothing/> the Chinese government has included the island groups that comprise Sansha in its administrative structure since 1959.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=CCTV |date= 5 August 2012 |url= http://english.cntv.cn/program/newsupdate/20120805/103205.shtml | title=China opposes US statement on S. China Sea | access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> 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]].<ref name=icgpp5/>
Western reaction to the 2012 declaration of the Chinese government elevating the administrative status of Sansha was not positive. The [[United States Department of State]] called the change in the administrative status of the territory "[[Unilateralism|unilateral]]", and the move has received criticism from nations engaged in the [[South China Sea dispute]], particularly the [[Philippines]] and [[Vietnam]].<ref name="voanews.com"/>
The centre of government for Sansha is located on [[Woody Island, South China Sea|Woody Island]] (Yongxing Dao) in the Paracels,<ref name=icgpp5>{{cite conference | url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/north-east-asia/229-stirring-up-the-south-china-sea-ii-regional-responses | title=Stirring up the South China Sea (II): Regional responses |work= Asia Report N°229 | publisher=International Crisis Group | access-date=7 August 2012 |date=July 2012 | pages=5}}</ref> where about 1,000 Chinese (PRC) reside.<ref name=hawkishreuters>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-southchinasea-idUSBRE86O1P020120725 | title=China's hawks gaining sway in South China sea dispute | work=Reuters | date=25 July 2012 <!-- 5:07pm EDT -->  | access-date=7 August 2012 | author=Lague, David | location=Hong Kong}}</ref> With a land area of 210ha, Woody Island is the largest contiguous land area in the [[South China Sea]].<ref>[[Pratas Island]] has an area of 240ha, but this includes a 60ha lagoon.</ref> The total land area of Sansha, which includes the islands in the Paracel and Spratly groups, is less than {{convert|5|sqmi}}.<ref>[[USA Today]], [https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-12/usa-china/56161318/1 ''Tiny island in South China Sea is stirring up tensions''], Calum MacLeod, 12 July 2012</ref> Nationally, Sansha is the smallest prefecture-level city, by both population and land area, but the largest by total area,<ref name="chr">{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/China-dubs-tiny-island-new-city-in-sea-claim-bid-3729523.php |title=China dubs tiny island new city in sea claim bid |author=Alexa Olesen ([[Associated Press]]) |date=24 July 2012 |access-date= 24 July 2012 |work=chron.com}}{{dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> and is also the southernmost prefecture-level city of the PRC.
By January 2016, work was well advanced on developing a military base with a large harbour and a {{convert|2644|m}} runway, with the reclaimed land covering {{convert|558|ha}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://amti.csis.org/airstrips-near-completion/ |title= Airstrips near Completion |publisher=Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative |date=January 2016 |access-date=2016-01-30}}</ref> A civilian test flight to the runway was conducted by a China Southern Airlines passenger jet on 13 July 2016.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2016-07/13/c_135510656.htm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160714030009/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2016-07/13/c_135510656.htm | url-status= dead | archive-date= 14 July 2016 | title= China conducts test flights on two new airports on Nansha Islands | newspaper= Xinhua |access-date= 2016-07-14}}</ref> On 16 February 2016, the New York Times reported that China had deployed [[HQ‑9]] surface‑to‑air missiles on the island.<ref name="Forsythe2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/world/asia/china-missiles-south-china-sea.html |title=Missiles Deployed on Disputed South China Sea Island, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |date=17 February 2016 |page=A6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218154756/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/world/asia/china-missiles-south-china-sea.html |archive-date=18 February 2016 |url-status=live |first1=Michael |last1=Forsythe |first2=Jonathan |last2=Soble |first3=Mark |last3=Landler |first4=Yufan |last4=Huang |first5=Mia |last5=Li |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In late 2016, photographs emerged which suggested that Mischief Reef was armed with anti-aircraft weapons and a [[CIWS]] missile-defence system.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://amti.csis.org/chinas-new-spratly-island-defenses/ |title= China's New Spratly Island Defenses |publisher= [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] |date= 2016-12-13 |access-date= 2016-12-17}}</ref> In May 2018, the [[Centre for Strategic and International Studies]], a US think tank, said satellite images showed China had deployed new military weapon platforms to Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels.
==See also==
{{Portal|China}}
* [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China]]
* [[South China Sea Islands]]
** [[James Shoal]]
** [[Macclesfield Bank]]
** [[Paracel Islands]]
** [[Scarborough Shoal]]
** [[Spratly Islands]]
* [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea]]
* [[Kalayaan, Palawan|Kalayaan]], [[Palawan]], [[Philippines]]
* [[Trường Sa District|Trường Sa]], [[Khánh Hòa Province|Khánh Hòa]], [[Vietnam]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.sansha.gov.cn Sansha Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124054815/http://www.sansha.gov.cn/ |date=24 January 2017 }} {{in lang|zh-cn}}
* [https://archive.today/20121127061700/http://en.hainan.gov.cn/englishgov/AboutHaiNan/200904/t20090419_1366.html Administrative divisions of Hainan Province]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071117131114/http://xnzsha.hainan.gov.cn/ Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080412060318/http://yjs.hainan.gov.cn/web/2001/main/sx_01_21.htm Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority Woody Island Census Town]
* [http://www.xzqh.org/quhua/46hn/9037.htm Subdivision Information of the Hainan Province Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority]
* [http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/305969/us-criticises-china-garrison US criticises China garrison]
* [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=cmsi-maritime-reports Sansha City in China's South China Sea Strategy: Building a System of Administrative Control ]
{{South China Sea}}
{{Sansha topics}}
{{Hainan topics}}
{{Hainan}}
{{Metropolitan cities of China}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Prefectural-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}
[[Category:Sansha| ]]
[[Category:2012 establishments in China]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 2012]]
[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of Hainan]]