China will offer its first regular civilian cruises to the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) in the South China Sea by 2020, state media said yesterday, a move likely to irk other claimants to the disputed waters.
China’s activities in the contested area, such as building artificial islands, airfields and other military facilities, have fueled tension in Southeast Asia, although it says most of the construction is for civilian purposes.
The island province of Hainan will operate regular trips to the Spratlys in response to increasing demand, the China Daily said, citing provincial authorities.
“The province plans a pan-South China Sea cruise line and cruise trips business covering countries along the Maritime Silk Road,” it added, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) initiative to boost investment and trade links.
The trips will begin before 2020, the newspaper said.
China claims 90 percent of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea. Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam lay claim to parts of the sea, through which ships carrying about US$5 trillion of trade pass every year.
Since 2013, China has run cruises to the Paracel Islands (Xisha Islands, 西沙群島). China has controlled the Paracels, which are nearer its coast than the Spratlys, since the 1970s.
State-owned China COSCO Shipping Corp plans to launch cruise trips to the Paracels from next month.
Analysts say China’s development plans in the more distant Spratlys would give Beijing its first permanent presence deep in the maritime heart of Southeast Asia.
Beijing has said it wants to build Maldives-style resorts around the South China Sea.
It is unclear if foreigners would be allowed to visit. Only Chinese have so far been permitted to take the tours.
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