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Hong Kong welcomes mainland China yachts
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Lantau Yacht Club hosted five yachts from Guangdong province during a historic maiden ‘southbound’ voyage to Hong Kong.
Government officials and yachting industry leaders were out in force as Lantau Yacht Club welcomed five yachts from mainland China on October 16, as part of the maiden voyage for southbound travel from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong. It follows the northbound travel scheme, approved in June, allowing Hong Kong yachts to sail to designated ports in mainland China.
Under the new southbound rules, mainland-registered yachts must register online before departing from one of the designated clearance points in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai or Zhongshan. In Hong Kong, visiting mainland yachts can use designated berthing areas in Tai O, Repulse Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Stanley Bay and Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung.
China officials at Lantau Yacht Club included Xu Weigang, Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and Fan Kesheng, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province.
Fan Kesheng, Xu Weigang, Michael Wong, Mable Chan and Wong Sai-fat
Hong Kong officials included Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Wong Sai-fat, Director of Marine; and Legislative Council members.
HKR International, owner of Lantau Yacht Club and the surrounding Discovery Bay residential development, was represented by Quincy Chow, Deputy Managing Director, and Franklin Mak, Executive Vice President of Hospitality.
Mak said: “As the HKSAR Government actively drives the yacht economy under the first Five-Year Plan, this landmark maiden voyage marks a transformative shift for Hong Kong’s yachting industry into a fully interconnected Greater Bay Area ecosystem.
“Lantau Yacht Club is deeply honoured to host this historic occasion, underscoring our role as a strategic maritime gateway. Leveraging our unique proximity to the South China hinterland, LYC is set to evolve from a premium local venue into a core nautical hub for the Greater Bay Area and Asia.”
Quincy Chow (second right) of HKR International
To promote the new policy, Lantau Yacht Club has introduced an exclusive berthing offer for visiting yachts registered in mainland China.
Lantau Yacht Club – which hosts its LYC Boat Show from November 6-8 – was Hong Kong’s first marina awarded to be awarded 5 Gold Anchor status by the Marina Industries Association (MIA). In 2025, it became only Asia’s fifth marina to earn Platinum status, while also earning Superyacht Ready accreditation.
Hong Kong yachting officials say the new southbound travel policy will deliver significant economic benefits for Hong Kong. By attracting high-net-worth yacht owners and their guests to the city, the policy could stimulate spending across multiple sectors including luxury accommodation, events and entertainment, fine dining, retail, marine services, insurance and wealth management.
VIPs including Tommy Ho and Franklin Mak (first and second left)
Increased yachting activity could also create new employment opportunities in hospitality, maritime operations and professional services, while further reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a premier international tourism and lifestyle destination.
Tommy Ho, Chairman of the Hong Kong Yachting Association, said. “Today marks a transformative moment for Hong Kong’s yachting sector. The southbound policy not only opens the Chinese Mainland market to our local marinas but also positions Hong Kong as the essential gateway for international yachts entering the Greater Bay Area. This is the catalyst we have been waiting for to elevate our industry to global standards.”
