June 21, 2012

The State Council approves establishing Sansha as a prefecture-level city to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and surrounding waters.

July 19

The People's Liberation Army Guangzhou Military Command says the Central Military Commission has authorized forming a garrison on Sansha.

July 24

China officially establishes the city of Sansha on Yongxing Island, with Xiao Jie elected as its first mayor.

Aug 25

The city's first infrastructure projects get underway, including a sewage disposal factory and sewage pipe network and a waste transfer station on Xisha Islands.

Nov 27

The Sansha government signs a strategic cooperation agreement with the China Shipbuilding Industry to help Sansha boost development of its marine industry.

Nov 28

The city authority issues its first environmental protection declaration, stating groundwater exploration will be suspended before 2015.

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