The opening up of China in the early 1980s brought many tourists to the country. Cruising yachts have also been able to take advantage of the more tolerant attitude of the authorities, but the number of yachts that sail to China is still very small. In most places, foreign yachts are treated with suspicion and their freedom of movement is limited. The Chinese Yachting Association is making great efforts to develop sailing as a sport and has achieved some remarkable successes in the Olympic classes.
Most sailing is done on a club basis.
The Yachting Association is keen to attract more foreign yachts to visit China, but is very much aware of the bureaucratic hurdles against which it is powerless. Although there are countless interesting sites worth visiting in the interior, from the cruising point of view, China s coasts do not have much to offer. Most of the ports open to yachts are busy commercial harbours and the scenery only rarely matches that of neighbouring countries. As a cruising destination, China s attractions are rather limited. Yachting facilities and services are practically non-existent.