This will support Hainan's tourism development, easing the entry and exit procedures for international visitors and simplifying yacht travel between Hainan and Hong Kong/Macau, the Ministry of Public Security said at a press conference in Beijing.
Follows Shanghai policy
Shanghai, China’s top cruise port, has had a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourists arriving on cruises since October 2016.
Last year, Hainan adopted a new 30-day visa-free travel policy for group visitors from 59 countries including Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the UAE.
Cruises to nowhere
Additionally, in May this year, Hainan was approved by the central government to launch pilot cruises to nowhere for Chinese-funded ships flying flags of convenience at the ports of Haikou and Sanya.
