Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht brokerage company, has opened a flagship office at the Serenity Coast Marina in Sanya, Hainan.

“Simpson Marine is ready to serve the Chinese market, and specifically its southern part, which is transforming itself into the yachting hub of China.”

On top of the existing 8 marinas in operation, over 12 new marina projects have been identified on the southern coast of China and Hainan. The idea of a Chinese Riviera stretching from Xiamen to Sanya has never been so relevant.

China seems to be caught in a conundrum. While the country has over the past decade actively encouraged the rapid rise of its middle class, it now seems quite unsure of how to handle the trappings that go with their newfound wealth.

First the hammer came down on billboards advertising luxury brands — from March they were banned in Beijing and Shanghai, as well more regional cities such as Chongqing, for promoting a lifestyle that was both “unhealthy” and “foreign.”

And now the authorities have again turned their attention to the pastime that was at one stage banned for being too “bourgeois” — golf.

The popular Chinese holiday destination of Sanya is set to boast the world’s largest duty free complex, according to reports.

Sanya, on the island of Hainan in the South China Sea, is the southernmost city in China and a booming holiday destination for Chinese tourists, boasting an ever-growing number of resorts aimed at both Chinese and international tourists.

Now, it will also be home to the world’s largest duty free offering, some 350,000 square meters of duty-free retail space according to the Moodie Report.

The Hainan Rendez Vous, Asia’s first and only exhibition exclusively dedicated to business jets, large yachts and luxury lifestyle will return from April 1st to April 4th 2011 at the Visun Marina in Sanya (Hainan Island, China).

By most measures, the self-styled “Chinese Riviera” on Hainan Island has a long way to go before catching up to Cannes, St. Tropez or Nice.

But the organizers of Hainan Rendez-Vous at the island’s Sanya resort did their part to boost the area’s image this past weekend, hosting an extravaganza of private jets, vintage and top-end autos, luxury properties and giant yachts.

The first edition of the Hainan Rendez-Vous attracted last week end over 5,600 visitors during the three-day event which featured more than 150 exhibitors.

Picture a world where the champagne never stops flowing, the music never stops playing, the jewels never come off and the parties never end…

Now throw in haute cuisine aboard mega yachts, flights aboard gilded private jets, exclusive luxury property launches and private previews of the latest couture collections.

Stir up the action with a star-studded guest list and you’re in for three days of absolute indulgence at Hainan Rendez-vous.

From April 2 to 4, society’s luminaries, A-list celebrities, seasoned jetsetters and connoisseurs will descend onto the sparkling waters of Hainan Island for a unique extravaganza that celebrates luxury living.