Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday that the establishment of Sansha City in the South China Sea last year was an important move taken by the central authorities after taking into consideration the situations at home and abroad.

As China's youngest city, Sansha was officially set up in July last year on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea. The city administers three island groups -- Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha -- and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea.

"Along with the whole nation, people in Hainan have contributed greatly in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of our nation," Yang said while deliberating on the Government Work Report with other national lawmakers from the province.

"I believe the establishment of Sansha City will bring great opportunities for the development and opening up of Hainan Province," he said.

In the Government Work Report to the first session of the 12th National People's Congress on Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao said the government should strengthen comprehensive marine management, protect the marine ecological environment and safeguard China's maritime rights and interests.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2013)