Administrative level status of islands raised

China has raised the administrative status of Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands in the South China Sea from county level to prefectural level, a move to improve administrative management on the islands, an official statement said on Thursday.

The State Council has approved the establishment of the prefectural-level city of Sansha to administer the three island groups and their surrounding waters. The government seat will be stationed on Yongxing Island, part of the Xisha Islands, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The county-level administration office for the islands, which was established in 1959 and is also stationed on Yongxing Island, has been abolished, the statement said.