Shotlist FILE: Sanya City, Hainan Province, south China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Aerial shots of yachts sailing at sea Sanya City, Hainan Province, south China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 2. Aerial shots of catamaran sailing at sea 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xie Li, general manager, Diamond Yacht: "This yacht is 56 feet long, or about 17.25 meters, and 8.38 meters wide. Globally, catamarans are in high demand because they offer more space." 4. Aerial shot of catamaran sailing at sea 5. Xie talking with reporter 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xie Li, general manager, Diamond Yacht (starting with shot 5/ending with shot 7): "China-made yachts offer high cost-performance ratio, spacious interiors, and greater comfort for onboard activities. We've even exported them overseas, to countries such as Russia and Singapore." 7. Xie talking with reporter 8. Cui Yumin, head of cruise and yacht management office of Sanya Central Business District Administration, entering Sanya International Yacht Center with reporter 9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Cui Yumin, head, cruise and yacht management office, Sanya Central Business District Administration (starting with shot 8): "This is the Sanya Port Terminal, part of the Sanya International Yacht Center project. It now features a 30-second rapid customs clearance system, enabling yacht owners or lovers to achieve spontaneous, 'go-as-you-please' freedom of travel." 10. Various of Cui talking with reporter 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Cui Yumin, head, cruise and yacht management office, Sanya Central Business District Administration (starting with shot 10): "Our investment promotion efforts are internationally oriented by leveraging the favorable policies of the free trade port. There are generous supportive policies available. With the zero-tariff treatment, enterprises can import entire yachts duty-free for operational use. Similarly, yacht manufacturers establishing operations in the free trade port are eligible for duty-free imports of raw materials, auxiliary materials, and equipment, significantly reducing the costs of setting up a business." 12. Various of workers maintaining yachts 13. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Cui Yumin, head, cruise and yacht management office, Sanya Central Business District Administration (starting with shot 12): "We currently have a 160-ton gantry crane capable of lifting yachts up to 30 meters. All of them can be serviced here." 14. Various of workers maintaining yachts, driving forklift 15. Aerial shots of port, yachts Storyline The city of Sanya in south China's Hainan Province is rapidly transforming into a premier global yachting destination. As Chinese-built yachts make waves internationally and the anticipated Hainan Free Trade Port offers zero-tariff incentives and swift clearance procedures, the city is creating unprecedented opportunities for operators, builders, and buyers alike. From smooth cruising to seamless policies, Chinese yacht manufacturers are gaining ground on the global stage. "This yacht is 56 feet long, or about 17.25 meters, and 8.38 meters wide. Globally, catamarans are in high demand because they offer more space," said Xie Li, general manager of the Diamond Yacht. Crafted in China with a sleek twin-hull design, the yacht is built for cruising along China's tropical coast and beyond. It boasts a steady, smooth ride even in challenging waves, and below deck, it's a cozy, fully customizable space with up to four bedrooms. "China-made yachts offer high cost-performance ratio, spacious interiors, and greater comfort for onboard activities. We've even exported them overseas, to countries such as Russia and Singapore," said Xie. Sanya's growing yachting industry is evident in its impressive figures: by the end of 2024, the city registered 1,415 yachts, among the highest in China. It now aims to become the "Yachting Capital of the Asia-Pacific," positioning itself as a leading global hub for maritime leisure, tourism, and yacht-related industry. At the heart of this transformation is the Sanya International Yacht Center. "This is the Sanya Port Terminal, part of the Sanya International Yacht Center project. It now features a 30-second rapid customs clearance system, enabling yacht owners or lovers to achieve spontaneous, 'go-as-you-please' freedom of travel," said Cui Yumin, head of the cruise and yacht management office of the Sanya Central Business District Administration. This rapid clearance time outpaces most airports, turning Sanya from a scenic getaway into a thriving international yachting gateway. The local authorities in Sanya issued a guideline for handling zero-tariff yachts in October to further upgrade the services of the yacht industry. "Our investment promotion efforts are internationally oriented by leveraging the favorable policies of the free trade port. There are generous supportive policies available. With the zero-tariff treatment, enterprises can import entire yachts duty-free for operational use. Similarly, yacht manufacturers establishing operations in the free trade port are eligible for duty-free imports of raw materials, auxiliary materials, and equipment, significantly reducing the costs of setting up a business," said Cui. Meanwhile, a state-of-the-art maintenance hub is effectively supporting the industry's operational needs here. "We currently have a 160-ton gantry crane capable of lifting yachts up to 30 meters. All of them can be serviced here," said Cui. From hull cleaning to engine tuning, this ecosystem makes yacht ownership and maintenance easier, faster, and more affordable without the need to send vessels abroad for repairs. Sanya's yachting wave is gaining momentum. For those dreaming of owning a yacht, the city is rapidly becoming the place to start.