南沙群岛考察史

THE HISTORY OF EXPEDITIONS TO NANSHA ISLANDS

本文论述了南沙群岛被中国古人发现和开发利用，地名沿革，中国政府对其管辖和行使主权，古代对其自然的记述，近代和现代对其综合科学考察。

ncestors in South China discovered the Nansha Islands in the Qin-Han era, nearly 2000 years ago. Oner the past 2000 years) people in South China sailed boats to the Nansha islands by taking advantage of monsoons. There they fished for aquatic animals and plants,resided temporarily, dug wells to get drinkable water, and cultivated barren lands. They are the real masters of the Nansha Islands. Before 1710 when this region was called Nanhaizhudao, this area was named 'Qitou', 'Shitang',or'Changsha'. The Nansha Islands was called 'wanlishitang ' in 1216, 'Wanlishitangyu' in 1430, 'Wanlichangsha' in 1536,'Changsha' in 1554, and 'Qianlishitang' in 1730. This region was designated the Tuansha Islands in 1935, and in 1946 it was 'tried the Nansha Islands.Since the Han Dynasty, Chinese government of every dynasty has sent naVy to this region patrolling sea territory , protecting border sea, and reassuring the public security. Since at least the Tang or Song dynasties, Chinese Sovernments have included the Nansha Islands to the jurisdiCtion of the local government in Hainan Island. In the Qing dynasty and in the Repubic of China era) Chinese governments included the Nansha inslands in the maps of China , and repeatedly protested foreign invasions to this reSton. In 1992, China made legislation and declared that the Nansha Islands and the near-by waters belong to Chinese domain, territorial waters, and adjacent maritime space. In 1946 a local regulation office , Nansha Islands Administration Office, was established in Taiping Island. In 1959 an administration office for the Xisha slands, Nansha Islands, and Zhongsha Islands was established in YongxinS Island. In 1988 this office was re-distributed and has been under the leadership of the newly founded Hainan Province government. Since 1988, Chinese navy has stationed in Yongshu reef and several others.Chinese ancestors had their descriptions for the nature of the Nansha Islands' In thefirst century the coral reef body was called 'Qitou', and the reef gravel was Called 'Cishi'.In the third century the coral reef was called 'Shanhuzhou', and the reef limestone wascalled 'Pans hi,,. During the Tang dynasty the reef flat was called 'Shichuang', and reef atollwas called 'Shita-'g'. In 12th century the lime--sand island was Called 'Changslla' 1 and therewere records about the monsoon I shellfishes in the reef top, and plants & birds on the islands. In modern times investigations to the Nanslla Islands were mainly about the measurements, geology, geomorphology, soil, asriculture ) and aquatic products, etc. ) when theNansha Islands were taken over by the Republic of China in 194 6-- 1947. The contemporarysyflthetic scientific expeditions to the Nansha Islands have been conducted continually since1984, and these investiSations have included many subjects, acquired abundant information Iand resulted in a lot of scientific achievements.