BEIJING - The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed South China Sea islands set sail on Sunday, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbors. <\/p>\n
Plans to allow tourists to visit the Paracel Islands is the latest stage in China's development of the territory, which has previously angered Vietnam and caused concern in Washington. <\/p>\n
Vietnam and China have a longstanding territorial row over the Paracel Islands. Hanoi last month accused a Chinese vessel of firing on one of its fishing boats which had sailed in disputed waters in the area. <\/p>\n
Up to 100 passengers paid a ticket price between 7,000 yuan ($1,135) and 9,000 yuan for the four-day voyage, which is set to become a monthly or twice monthly trip if the maiden trip proves successful, the Global Times said. <\/p>\n
Only passengers in \"good health, which includes having a normal weight\" are permitted on the trip, the newspaper added, in a report which cites the Shanghai Morning Post. <\/p>\n
The plan to allow cruise tours follows rapid development of infrastructure in a new city -- Sansha -- along with the establishment of an army garrison in the Paracels last year. <\/p>\n
A named commentary in the Global Times defended the decision to allow tourists to visit the islands, which are known as Xisha in China. <\/p>\n
\"China's Xisha tourism has nothing to do with its neighboring countries,\" said Ju Hailong, a research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, in the southern city of Guangzhou. <\/p>\n
\"Those who want to manipulate China's moves to make trouble are not admirers of international law and regional security.\" <\/p>\n
Officials earlier this month confirmed they would open up the Islands to tourism. <\/p>\n
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Chinese tourists sail to disputed Paracel islands - report<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BEIJING - The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed South China Sea islands set sail on Sunday, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbors. Continue reading