China to build another Hainan base, protect ecology around islands

South China's Sansha, which administers several island groups in the South China Sea, including some disputed islets, is pushing to preserve the ecology and is building another base in Hainan to provide logistics support, the city's mayor said.

The Philippines, in its arbitral case against China over the disputed waters which ended last year, accused China of harming the maritime ecological system and environment in the South China Sea.

"The central government has approved an outline to protect the environment in Sansha, Xisha, Nansha and Zhongsha islands. The plan stresses ecological preservation, and is the focus of six projects, including the restoration of islands and reefs, coastline restoration, providing surveillance for the marine environment and foresting the islands," Xiao Jie, mayor and Party chief of Sansha, Hainan Province, said after the Hainan delegates met on Saturday in Beijing.

Xiao said environmental preservation in Sansha is part of China's long-term national interests in the region and how China protects its rights.

Sansha has pushed for the use of solar power and electric motorbikes on the islands, and uses rooftops to collect rainwater, Xiao added.

The city planted 2 million trees on the islands in 2016, and Xiao told the Global Times that the city is considering planting 1 million more trees this year.

The city is also planning to integrate military and civilian facilities. Xiao noted that many resources, including civilian buildings on the island, can be used by the military.

Meanwhile, Sansha is building a base on Mulan Bay harbor in Wenchang, Hainan Province to provide logistical support, maritime emergency rescue facilities and resource development in the region.

Mulan Bay harbor is a deepwater port 40 kilometers from Hainan's capital Haikou, China Ocean News reported. The harbor, once completed, would be able to greatly boost Sansha's transportation capabilities and provide maintenance services to ships traveling to and from Sansha.

The Qinglan port in Sanya, Hainan currently provides logistic services to Sansha.