China publishes map of Sansha

BEIJING -- China has published the first official map of the newly-established city of Sansha, located in the South China Sea.

It is the first map that reflects the geological information of China's Sansha City and South China Sea islands in a comprehensive, accurate and specific manner, according to a statement issued by its publisher Friday.

The map has been verified and finalized by a unit in charge of surveying, mapping and navigation under the General Staff Headquarters of the People's Liberation Army. It was approved by the General Administration of Press and Publication, the publisher said.

The map includes satellite images, aerial pictures, terrain maps and administrative maps of the city and the islands, and is published with six different scales ranging from 1:30,000,000 to 1:360,000, according to the statement.

The map displays the geological locations, oceanic terrain, natural resources, marine and land transportation, airports and harbors as well as administrative boundaries of the city and the islands.

Images of Yongxing Island, where the Sansha city government is seated, as well as 38 major islands and reefs in this region, are emphasized in the map.

The map will be available in major bookstores across the country starting Saturday.

The State Council in June approved the establishment of Sansha, a prefectural-level city in south China's Hainan Province, to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands and the surrounding waters in the South China Sea.