BEIJING, April 15 -- Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected Nansha Islands in the South China Sea in recent days, the Ministry of Defense said Friday.

Fan, who was accompanied by military officers and civilian officials, met with officers and soldiers stationed on the islands as well as construction workers, the ministry said on its official website.

Fan was also briefed on the construction projects on Nansha islands and reefs.

The ministry said the construction projects are going smoothly. Those projects, including lighthouses, automatic weather stations, oceanic observation centers and oceanic research facilities, will provide public services for the international community.

Five lighthouses for navigation safety have been completed, and four of them are operative now, it added.