BEIJING - The Chinese government has raised the administrative status of the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha Islands in the South China Sea from county-level to prefectural-level, according to a Thursday statement.

The State Council, or China's cabinet, has approved the establishment of the city of Sansha to administer the three island groups and their surrounding waters, while the government seat will be stationed on Yongxing Island, part of the Xisha Islands, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The council has abolished the county-level Administration Office for the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha Islands, which was also stationed on Yongxing Island, the statement said.