Infrastructure boost planned for China's youngest city

HAIKOU - Plans have been announced to speed up infrastructure construction in the newly established Sansha city in the South China Sea to fully tap into the island city's rich natural resources.

"We will accelerate construction projects in Sansha in sectors including traffic, telecommunication, water and electricity supply, logistics and sewage treatment," said Jiang Dingzhi, governor of China's southernmost province of Hainan, home to Sansha.

Speaking at a conference on oceanic exploitation on Thursday, he said the province will also prioritize building service bases for resource development.

Further support will be given to develop the fishery, tourism, gas and oil sectors, according to the governor.

China's youngest city, officially set up in July on Yongxing Island to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands and their surrounding waters, is planning four infrastructure projects and started a housing program last month.

The projects include road construction, water supply and drainage on Yongxing Island, where the city government is seated.