Sansha, China's southern-most city, plans to further boost its tourism industry with a second cruise ship to the Xisha Islands, which officials said will be in operation by year's end.

Sansha has so far received more than 10,000 tourists through cruise ships since cruises to the Xisha Islands began on April 28, 2013, the city government said.

The only current cruise ship operating in the islands is the 200-bed Coconut Princess, operated by Hainan Strait Shipping. Sansha Mayor Xiao Jie said the ship cannot meet the rising market demand.