Hong Kong and Macao hail milestone yacht policy

The Hong Kong and Macao special administrative region governments and tourism industry leaders on Sunday welcomed a new policy that allows private yachts from both regions to enter or exit nine Chinese mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with ease.

The policy, rolled out on Saturday, was hailed as a "milestone" for yacht economy and tourism. Stakeholders expressed hope that the next phase would open up the southern route for mainland yachts heading to the two special administrative regions, ease customs requirements and enable mutual recognition of credentials.

According to the State Council's announcement, it approved with immediate effect the exemption from the guarantee requirement and the implementation of temporary ship nationality registration for Hong Kong and Macao yachts, when they temporarily enter and exit the Chinese mainland through designated ports in the nine GBA cities and navigate only within those cities.

Yachts from Hong Kong and Macao can now enter and exit the mainland through designated ports in Guangdong province's Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

Hong Kong's Transport and Logistics Bureau and Macao's Marine and Water Bureau welcomed the move, saying the new guarantee-free and temporary registration measures will significantly reduce the financial burden of yacht owners from the two SARs. The temporary ship nationality registration allows Hong Kong and Macao yachts to obtain temporary ship nationality certificates issued by the mainland without affecting their original ship registration, enabling individual yacht travel within the waters of the nine mainland cities.

Previously, yacht owners from Hong Kong and Macao whose vessels entered mainland waters had to make a mandatory deposit and apply for a license, which would cost several hundred thousand yuan, while applications for a permit could take months.

In his 2025 Policy Address, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted major moves to expand the city's high-end yacht industry, including an individual travel system for yachts entering the GBA, as well as measures to facilitate Hong Kong yachts heading north and those from the mainland in the opposite direction.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, called the latest policy a "full demonstration" of the central authorities' strong support for integrated tourism in the bay area and regional growth.

He hoped for a regional individual travel program for yachts, saying it's crucial for making the region a global destination for high-spending travelers, and turning Hong Kong into a hub for yacht leasing, trading and tourism.

Chui said the travel industry needs to implement more steps to encourage mainland yachts to enter Hong Kong, as having more high spenders is vital for the city's tourism expansion.

Legislator Priscilla Leung Mei-fun applauded the policy as a "milestone" that would spur marine recreation by leveraging each city's strengths — Hong Kong's marinas, maritime and high-end tourism services, and financial support, as well as Guangdong's coastlines, islands and coastal leisure facilities.

She said that faster cross-border yacht traffic is just the first step, envisioning deeper innovation, including mutual recognition of yacht licenses and smoother border inspections.

Lo Wai-kwok, chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, urged the SAR to work with other cities in the region to simplify customs procedures for cruise vessels, yachts and tourists. He plans to meet with industry leaders to discuss how the new policy can drive tangible growth for the SAR's yacht economy.