China plans to open Xisha Islands for tourism this year. Xisha Islands is located about 180 nautical miles southeast of Hainan Island. Relevant government departments are making preparations in accordance with the timetable of this schedule.
China's State Council announced a guideline to develop the tropical island province of Hainan into a destination for international tourists in 2009. The guideline also outlined that tourism would be promoted on the Xisha Islands.
Like blossoming water lilies floating in the boundless expanse of the South China Sea, the Xisha Islands are a cluster of close to 40 islets, sandbanks and reefs.