South China's Hainan province has increased its support for foreign yachts, with new policies aimed at streamlining the boats' administrative approvals published Friday.

While previously the entry of foreign yachts to the province was dealt with by the State-level transport authority, new measures make Hainan the first province-level area to manage these entries directly, according to a news conference by Hainan province authorities.

Hainan Maritime Safety Administration said the policies will include Hainan Island and its adjacent scenic spots, but will not include military-restricted areas or the  Xisha islands, Nansha islands and other waters.

According to Wu Pingsheng, deputy director of the provincial administration, the policies should allow for easier access for yachts from Hong Kong and Macao to Hainan province.

Entry and exit approval procedures, for example, have been simplified and the single voyage certification registration has been canceled, Wu said.

The administration said it handled 5,344 import and export international ship approvals in 2018.