Security stepped up for fresh Hong Kong anti-parallel trading protest as 500 police drafted in

Rural leaders will meet police to discuss security measures ahead of Sunday’s protest against parallel trading in Yuen Long as 500 officers were expected to be deployed in an effort to stop clashes with local residents.

Hundreds of people are expected to protest near Tai Tong Road Light Rail station, an area lined with grocers and pharmacists popular with cross-border parallel good traders and mainland tourists.

The protest could disrupt businesses and would follow similar demonstrations that have caused chaotic scenes in other New Territories towns in recent weeks.

District Councillor Leung Fuk-yuen, who is also chairman of the Shap Pat Heung rural affairs body, said today some residents and indigenous villagers were expected to come out to express their objection to the protest.

“Yuen Long is a quiet place and residents do not like to see outsiders stir up trouble in their area,” he told a DBC radio this morning.

He criticised protest organisers for getting people from other districts to “intervene” in the town’s affairs. “I think people should show mutual respect,” he said.