China arouses keen interest from Yacht builders. With more than 500,000 millionaires (in dollars) in 2011 and another 800,000 expected to join them in 2013, together with a 30% increase in millionaires over the past 12 months, China is being eyed up by Western yacht builders. Only 0.3% of China's rich list owns a pleasure boat. This is equal to 1,500 yacht owners, as opposed to 600,000 in the United Kingdom and 19 million in the US. According to the Italian Trade Commission, the number of Chinese yacht imports increased from $91 million in 2010 to $150 million last year and is expected to reach the $250 million mark in 2014. Certain factors are still putting a brake on this expansion, particularly the 43% tax on boats measuring more than 8 m long, the absence of any real service chain and the lack of a sailing culture amongst the Chinese. (IL/transl.fl)