Woody Island cruises to start in Hainan this month amid sea disputes
Hainan opens islet in disputed Paracel chain to tourists, but they must sleep and eat aboard ship; workers rush to complete facilities onshore
The Hainan provincial government will begin sightseeing cruises to China's newest city, Sansha on tiny Woody Island, this month, a deputy governor of the province said yesterday.
But cruise-goers would have to eat and sleep on board the ship rather than stay overnight on the island - which has a permanent population of roughly 1,000, including military personnel - Tan Li said.
Authorities had already chosen scenic spots and routes for the vessels, Tan said.
A single cruise ship would serve the route to Woody Island, which lies about 300 kilometres southeast of Hainan, he added. But he did not say how often it would visit the island, which China calls Yongxing Island and which is part of the disputed Paracels chain.
Tan was speaking at a Hainan government news conference in Boao on the sidelines of the annual Boao Forum for Asia, which opened yesterday.
Woody Island has a small airstrip and port, and a weather station. The first phase of a new wharf on the island had begun trial operations, Tan said, and workers were rushing to complete 12 other projects including a supply ship berth, water supply system and sewage treatment plant.
Tourism, as well as oil and gas exploration, have been slated as major industries for Sansha.