Sansha taking shape with projects (2)

The projects will benefit the city's environment and help maintain sustainable development, Xiao said.

Xiao declined to disclose the total investment in Sansha's construction in 2013, but the city's first 28 infrastructure projects cost nearly 24 billion yuan ($3.81 billion), the Sansha government said in September.

"Sansha is entering a period of booming development that is being closely followed by the country and the Hainan government," said Wu Shicun, director of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

Xiao said Sansha authorities will try to get maximum support from the central government in policy and finance for its development.

Xiao and other officials in Sansha are busy drawing up development and environmental protection plans for the city.