China formally establishes city in Spratlys

BEIJING (AP) - China has rolled out the red carpet for its newest city, on a small, remote island in the South China Sea that is also claimed by Vietnam.

Beijing on Tuesday formally established the city of Sansha to bolster its claim on the sea's oil and gas-rich waters. The move is likely to anger China's neighbors and competing claimants in a dispute that has at times led to maritime standoffs.

Official broadcaster China Central Television aired the ceremony live, with speeches from Sansha's newly appointed mayor and other officials. Blustery island winds buffeted palm trees as officials trumpeted Sansha's important role in protecting China's sovereignty.

Sansha is 13 hours from the mainland by boat. It has a post office, bank, supermarket and hospital, but little else.