Which type of ships requires special permission to access the ports of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?

The accurate identification of ships that require special permission to access the ports of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is indeed foreign warships. Under the Basic Law and relevant local regulations, foreign warships must seek approval from the Chinese central authorities before entering Hong Kong waters. This requirement is grounded in the principle of sovereignty, as the presence of foreign military vessels is a matter of national security and international relations.

The rationale for this permission requirement lies in the fact that foreign warships can be involved in activities that may affect the region's security and stability. Such regulations ensure that Hong Kong, while operating under the "one country, two systems" framework, aligns with the broader national defense and diplomatic policies of China.

In contrast, other types of ships also have regulations, but they do not require the same level of scrutiny or permission as foreign warships. For example, foreign commercial ships and private vessels typically follow established maritime protocols and can enter Hong Kong ports under general provisions set by local maritime authorities without needing explicit authorization from the central government. Submarines, while they often have specific restrictions, are classified differently from foreign warships in terms of the entry requirements into Hong Kong's waters.