Thread by @zacharyhaver

Yesterday was the seventh anniversary of the establishment of Sansha City (三沙市). In July 2012, China founded Sansha to govern the entirety of its claims in the South China Sea. What is Sansha? How has it developed over the last 7 years? Why does it matter? A thread: (1/)

Sansha is based on Woody Island (永兴岛) in the Paracel Islands. The prefecture-level city has jurisdiction over the “island-reefs and sea areas” (岛礁及其海域) of the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Zhongsha Islands (Macclesfield Bank and Scarborough Shoal). (2/)

The Chinese government announced its plans to establish Sansha City just hours after Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the Law of the Sea of Vietnam on June 21, 2012. Many observers saw Sansha as China’s response. Sansha was formally established a month later on July 24. (3/)

However, the history of China’s administrative presence in the South China Sea predates Sansha. In 1959, China established a government office and party committee (also based on Woody Island) with authority over the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Zhongsha Islands. (4/)

From 1959 onward, China progressively developed Woody Island, constructing an airstrip, paving roads, building a harbor, improving telecommunications, and so on. The picture below allegedly show’s Woody Island’s harbor in 1991. (5/)

In 2007, it was leaked that the State Council had approved the establishment of Sansha City. However, Vietnam pushed back and the Chinese government denied these allegations. Though the picture remains murky, some evidence suggests that China was indeed ready to go in 2007. (6/)

Either way, the plan to officially elevate Sansha was shelved until 2012. As soon as the city was founded, Sansha’s development picked up steam.

So… what’s new in Sansha since 2012? (7/)

Banks. (8/)

A salon. (9/)

A school. And kids! (10/)

An environmental protection and processing center with facilities like seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. (11/)

Other recent developments on Woody include regularized charter flights, cruise tourism, a large-scale civilian-use port, permanent housing, sophisticated telecommunications, hundreds of private and state-owned businesses, and more – all in the middle of the South China Sea! (12/)

Because of this progress, Sansha can increasingly fulfill its “sacred mission” (神圣使命) of “defending the motherland’s southern gate” (守卫祖国南大门), which includes safeguarding China’s maritime rights and interests and protecting sovereignty. (13/)

For example, thanks to @KennedyMaritime and @AndrewSErickson, we know that Woody Island hosts an increasingly professionalized and militarized maritime militia. cimsec.org/riding-new-wav…. (14/)

Additionally, analysis from @AsiaMTI indicates the presence of missiles, combat aircraft, and other weapons systems on Woody Island. amti.csis.org/exercises-brin…. (15/)

Ultimately, Woody Island is becoming an increasingly (but not entirely) self-sufficient logistics hub for China. The history of Sansha City therefore gives us a glimpse at how China mobilizes administrative, civilian, and other actors to advance its South China Sea agenda. (16/)