<strong>Paracel Islands cruises: </strong>Two Chinese cruise ships have been back in service since December 9, running from Sanya, a port city in southern Hainan province, to the Paracel Islands -- an archipelago in the disputed South China Sea that Beijing has laid territorial claim to.
Paracel Islands cruises: Two Chinese cruise ships have been back in service since December 9, running from Sanya, a port city in southern Hainan province, to the Paracel Islands -- an archipelago in the disputed South China Sea that Beijing has laid territorial claim to.
Yan Wang
<strong>Sunset on the deck: </strong>Paracel Islands cruises have been operating on a modest scale since 2013. "The tours are operated and marketed as some cross between leisure and national duty," said Ian Rowen, an assistant professor at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.
Sunset on the deck: Paracel Islands cruises have been operating on a modest scale since 2013. "The tours are operated and marketed as some cross between leisure and national duty," said Ian Rowen, an assistant professor at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.
Nanhai Dream Weibo
<strong>Quanfu Island:</strong> Following a 13-hour sail, travelers can opt for half-day excursions to the two non-military islands currently open to tourists. These are Yinyu Island (or Observation Bank) and Quanfu Island, pictured.
Quanfu Island: Following a 13-hour sail, travelers can opt for half-day excursions to the two non-military islands currently open to tourists. These are Yinyu Island (or Observation Bank) and Quanfu Island, pictured.
Yan Wang
<strong>Flag-raising ceremony:</strong> As part of the cruises, travelers hear patriotic stories -- usually the version of history told from the perspective of the ruling Chinese Communist Party -- and take part in a flag-raising ceremony on one of the islands. This photograph was taken during a ceremony on Quanfu Island in 2016.
Flag-raising ceremony: As part of the cruises, travelers hear patriotic stories -- usually the version of history told from the perspective of the ruling Chinese Communist Party -- and take part in a flag-raising ceremony on one of the islands. This photograph was taken during a ceremony on Quanfu Island in 2016.
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<strong>Nanhai Dream: </strong>The Nanhai Dream, one of two ships that travel to the Paracel Islands, features a theater, a card room, a reading lounge and a café.
Nanhai Dream: The Nanhai Dream, one of two ships that travel to the Paracel Islands, features a theater, a card room, a reading lounge and a café.
<strong>Yinyu Island:</strong> Yinyu island, which has a small fishing village, is only 0.01 square kilometers, about 1/50th the size of a standard basketball court.
Yinyu Island: Yinyu island, which has a small fishing village, is only 0.01 square kilometers, about 1/50th the size of a standard basketball court.
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