A new window into China

"Many assumed we were still at a very early stage."

The marina was established in 2011 with the ambitious goal of building a facility that met international standards, at a time when China's modern yacht industry was still in its infancy.

"There were few standards, limited infrastructure and very little experience to draw on," Xu says. "We had to learn everything from scratch."

Over the following decade, the club developed a full range of services, from berthing and maintenance to licensing support and training programs. It also became one of the first marinas on the Chinese mainland to receive the 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation from The Yacht Harbour Association, the industry's highest honor.

But for Xu, the more meaningful progress has been less visible.

Creating conditions for easier movement of yachts within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area required years of coordination among customs, maritime and regulatory authorities. Those efforts reached a milestone in mid-June, just days before the Beijing trade promotion event, when the first official Greater Bay Area yacht freetravel voyage departed from the Nansha yacht club.

"We spent years working with different departments and introducing international best practices," Xu says.

"Progress came step by step."

Today, about one-third of the club's roughly 100 members come from Hong Kong and Macao, a sign of growing regional connectivity.

The club has also invested heavily in youth sailing programs. Since 2014, young sailors trained in Nansha have competed in regattas in Portugal and the United States.

Its annual yacht expo and sailing regatta have also attracted a growing number of manufacturers, dealers and sailing enthusiasts from around the world.

Xu says she has noticed another shift in recent years. Overseas yacht organizations that once had little contact with China are now reaching out directly.

European clubs have contacted Nansha to arrange visits, explore partnerships and learn more about developments in the Greater Bay Area.

"Fifteen years ago, we were studying international standards and learning from others. Now, people come here to see what we are doing," Xu says.

The change reminds her of something she often hears from first-time visitors.

"They arrive with one impression of China," she says. "After they spend time here, they leave with a different one."

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn