BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhuanet) --The first group of Chinese tourists sailed to the Xisha Islands on Sunday, as part of a plan to develop tourism in the group of islands in the South China Sea.

Some 200 Chinese passengers paid between 7,000 and 9,000 yuan for the four-day trip from Hainan island to the Xisha Islands. The local government says tourists will eat and sleep on the cruise ship, "Coconut Princess", and land on the islands for sightseeing.

There are plans to organize more visits to the islands depending on the success of this maiden trip. The Xisha islands are part of China’s Sansha city, which was established last year to safeguard national territory.

(Source: CNTV.cn)