HONG KONG — The first group of mainland yachts arrived in Hong Kong on Friday following the launch of the southbound yacht scheme.

Five Guangdong-registered yachts – three from Shenzhen, and one each from Zhuhai and Guangzhou’s Nansha district – docked at Lantau Yacht Club from around noon, welcomed by Marine Department vessels sounding their horns.

A welcome ceremony was held at the marina, officiated by Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan and Director of Marine Wong Sai-fat.

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China Daily photographer Andy Chong documents the warm reception with his camera.