Five yachts from Guangdong entered Hong Kong waters on Friday as a new scheme to ease cross-border yacht visits took effect.

Nearby vessels sounded their horns as the visiting boats docked one by one at the Lantau Yacht Club in Discovery Bay around noon.

The vessels range from about 13 to 38 metres, with three from Shenzhen, one from Nansha and one from Zhuhai.

Officiating a welcoming ceremony, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong said Hong Kong is actively building itself into Asia’s yacht hub, noting that the worldwide yacht market continues to grow – especially the luxury segment – and that the city can capture a share of that growth.

He said the government is rolling out measures to boost the yacht economy, including steps to make visits by such vessels easier, and will host the Festival of Connoisseurs from November 4 to 6.

Wong added that four new marina projects – at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen and Hung Hom – are moving ahead. Together they will provide more than 1,100 berths, a 30 percent increase from the existing total, he said.

"Whether it's Hong Kong yachts heading north or Guangdong yachts heading south, the essence is mutual benefit – a win-win-win," Wong said.

"We believe the travel scheme can open up a brand-new maritime channel for residents and visitors on both sides, jointly driving economic development in both places," he said.

He also thanked the central government and relevant units in Guangdong and Hong Kong for their support in implementing the travel scheme.


Edited by Aaron Tam