Guangdong province is stepping up efforts to promote cooperation in innovative yacht traveling witth Hong Kong and Macao, according to an official document released on Monday.

At the same time, experts have called for regulations on yacht management to be eased to give the industry a shot in the arm.

With a view to promoting integration in the Pearl River Delta region in the coming year, the Guangdong government said it will formulate yacht management policies and make Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Zhongshan "pilot cities" to boost the program.

Guangdong has been pushing for the opening up of its yacht piers to Hong Kong and Macao boats in recent years, aimed at achieving free navigation of private yachts among the three areas.

However, scholars and industry insiders say stringent government policies are limiting the industry's development. Although the construction of piers and vessels is vigorous and registration for a yacht driving license examination is fervent, policies on yacht management cannot keep up with the industry's growth, said Xu Manping, head of the School of Ship Engineering at the Guangzhou Maritime Institute.

He said yachting enthusiasts have to get a "visa" every time before they set out. "The procedure is like mainlanders applying for a Hong Kong visa 20 years ago, which is quite complicated. They need to submit their navigation application to several government departments for approval," Xu told China Daily.

Wu Tian, director of the Guangdong Yacht Industry Association, agreed. "The most pressing problem is that the policy is not open enough, including pier management, border inspection and taxes. Moreover, our infrastructure construction is unable to keep up with the industry's development, and piers are not opening enough to international yachts," he said.

Apart from policy and infrastructure limits, the lack of good projects between Hong Kong and the mainland is another factor to blame, Xu pointed out. There are a number of entertainment projects for visitors who travel by land, "but options for yacht travelers are few," said Xu, who suggested that more maritime entertainment venues, such as fishing grounds, be developed to stimulate yacht traveling between the two areas.

But, despite the obstacles, Xu and Wu said they see the industry's future as promising.

"Right now, the yacht industry cannot be viewed as a real industry. It may take 10 to 15 years to develop it into a real business if government policies are loosened and more pier projects are introduced," Xu urged. "The development of free navigation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will increase personnel exchanges among the three areas and prop up other related industries."

Wu added that if Guangdong is fully opened to the international yacht business, it will become a classic project in the country's opening up to the world. "Guangdong's yacht industry will benefit a lot and Hong Kong yacht enthusiasts will also be pleased by the convenience offered," he said.

Contact the writers at sally@chinadailyhk.com and grace@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 10/15/2014 page8)