21 April 2023
On 21 April 2023, the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China issued the "Opinions on Innovating Maritime Services and Comprehensively Deepening the Reform and Opening-up of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone" ("the Opinions"). The Opinions proposed to deepen the maritime cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, including deepening the cooperation mechanism in maritime with Hong Kong and Macao, facilitating the connection of maritime rules and mechanism, and promoting the convenient flow of shipping elements. The Opinions support the coordination of ship safety inspection standards and mutual recognition of ship safety inspection standards in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. In addition, the Opinions aimed to achieve the mutual recognition of qualification certificates for Shenzhen-Hong Kong pilots and Shenzhen-Hong Kong yacht operator and encourage Hong Kong and Macao residents to participate in respective seaman examinations in Mainland after they have completed eligible trainings in Hong Kong and Macao.