南海诸岛以其重要的地缘战略位置以及丰富的海洋资源,在中国国防、对外交往和海洋经济方面,有着极其重要的战略地位。中国水师自古就在南海上活动,宋代之后逐渐发展为定期巡弋。1909年广东水师提督李准统率所部巡视西沙群岛的行动,是对维护中国南海诸岛主权意义最为重大的行动之一。清朝中期,西方列强仗坚船利炮从南海开始撞开了中华国门。他们首先垂涎 South China Sea Islands, with its important strategic location and abundant marine resources, have an extremely important strategic position in China’s national defense, foreign affairs and marine economy. Chinese navy activities in the South China Sea since ancient times, gradually developed into a regular cruise after the Song Dynasty. In 1909, Governor Li Zhun-tung of Guangdong Province conducted a tour of the Paracel Islands by the department and was one of the most important actions to safeguard the sovereignty of the South China Sea islands. In the mid-Qing dynasty, Western powers clashed with fortifications and gunillery from the South China Sea to open the door of China. They first coveted