Sanya and Maldives Expand Cooperation in Marine Tourism and Trade - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The Chinese coastal city of Sanya and the Maldives have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation in several maritime industries, including yacht services, fisheries and aquaculture. During a two-day visit to the Maldives on October 27 and 28, 2026, a delegation of Sanya government and business development representatives held discussions with Maldivian authorities and companies. The mission resulted in two agreements intended to facilitate investment, develop commercial partnerships and create new opportunities for businesses in both destinations.

The initiative builds on an earlier visit by a Maldivian trade delegation to Sanya in August. Both sides are exploring how their established tourism industries and maritime resources can support new commercial activities. Sanya, located on China's Hainan Island, is seeking to use the investment and trade advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port to attract international companies and develop its marine economy.

Although the agreements primarily concern industrial and commercial cooperation, they also have implications for tourism. Both Sanya and the Maldives are internationally recognised beach destinations with established hospitality sectors and growing interests in marine recreation. Yacht maintenance, vessel services and potential aviation partnerships could therefore become relevant areas of cooperation alongside seafood production and trade.

Yacht Industry and Marine Services in Focus

On October 27, the Chinese delegation met representatives of Alshaali Marine and Gulf Craft Maldives to explore cooperation in the yacht industry. Discussions covered yacht components, maintenance and refurbishment, new vessel sales and duty-free imports.

One of the longer-term objectives is to establish yacht manufacturing and maintenance facilities in Sanya. Such infrastructure could support the city's ambitions to expand its marine leisure industry while creating commercial opportunities for Maldivian businesses with experience in yacht-related services.

The delegation also met officials from the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources. Talks focused on strengthening links between fishing ports and developing supply chains for tuna, skipjack and other seafood products. Under the proposals discussed, fish from the Maldives could be processed in Sanya before being distributed to international markets.

Additional meetings addressed aviation, tourism, agricultural trade and green energy. The delegation also held discussions with Island Aviation Services, the operator of the Maldivian national airline, although no specific new air service or aviation agreement was announced.

Two Agreements Signed in Malé

The central event of the visit was the China-Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum, held in Malé on October 28.

At the forum, the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maldives Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in trade and investment promotion, fisheries, aquaculture and other activities associated with the blue economy. It also provides for business matchmaking and initiatives designed to encourage companies from both markets to explore investment opportunities.

A separate strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau, the Sanya Central Business District Administration and Mariculture Maldives.

This partnership focuses on breeding tropical aquaculture species, developing larger-scale marine farming operations and establishing trade channels for fresh seafood.

Mariculture Maldives also intends to establish operations in Sanya, using the Hainan Free Trade Port's commercial framework as a platform for expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. Details of the planned investment and implementation timetable have not yet been disclosed.

Tourism Links Offer Further Potential

For the tourism sector, the discussions highlight the growing economic relationship between two destinations whose international profiles are closely associated with coastal recreation and hospitality.

Sanya is one of China's principal tropical resort destinations, while the Maldives has developed a substantial international tourism industry centred on island resorts, marine activities and high-end accommodation.

Cooperation in yacht services could eventually support marine tourism infrastructure, particularly if the proposed maintenance and manufacturing facilities in Sanya move forward. Discussions with aviation companies may also provide a basis for future exchanges, although the visit did not produce any confirmed new passenger connections.

Tong Liyan, head of the Sanya delegation and Party Secretary of the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau, emphasised that the agreements should lead to practical commercial outcomes.

"Our overseas outreach must deliver real results. It is not enough to reach consensus — we must turn agreements into concrete trade flows and industrial investment," she said.

Sanya intends to support companies entering each other's markets and encourage Maldivian businesses to examine opportunities in the city's industrial parks, ports and commercial facilities.

The agreements represent an initial framework rather than completed investment projects. Their practical significance will depend on subsequent business decisions, infrastructure development and the establishment of functioning trade partnerships.

For both destinations, however, the initiative illustrates how established tourism economies are seeking to diversify their maritime activities beyond conventional visitor services, linking tourism infrastructure with manufacturing, logistics and marine resource industries.

Image Credit: © Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau