The national flag is hoisted on the square of Sansha Municipal Government to commemorate the third anniversary of establishment of Sansha city on July 24, 2015. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A ceremony has been held to mark the third anniversary of establishment of Sansha city in the southernmost province of Hainan.

The national flag was hoisted on the square before Sansha Municipal Government.

The city of Sansha was officially set up on Yongxing Island, a major landmark among the Xisha Islands, on July 24 in 2012.

According to Mayor Xiao Jie, the city government plans to make tourism one of three economic engines for the development of Sansha city, besides fishing, oil and gas exploration.