Starting from March 15th, 2019, Hainan Province will become the first province in China to carry out a pilot program that would temporarily allow overseas yachts to enter some of its waters, according to a press conference held by the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration on April 12th, 2019.

 

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The pilot program was approved by the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China on March 2nd,2019.

The waters that will open to overseas yachts under the pilot program include the waters around scenic spots in and around the island of Hainan, but exclude military restricted areas and waters around the Nansha Islands and Xisha Islands.

The move is part of the local government’s efforts to upgrade its tourism sector and help transform the island into a globally influential international tourism consumption center.