Located 330 kilometers southeast of south China’s Hainan Province, the Xisha Islands are one of four big island groups in the South China Sea, together with the Dongsha, Nansha and Zhongsha islands. The Xisha Islands are situated south of the Tropic of Cancer with abundant rainfall and small changes in sea temperatures. These favorable natural conditions have formed the unique environment of the islands. Since Xisha is far offshore and rarely visited, the water around them is very clean, with a visibility of 40 meters. Xisha has a long stretch of continuous coral reefs. Sea plants and fishes of great variety live nearby and numerous sea birds inhabit the islands. [www.china.org.cn]
Related Comment: Indisputable territory