Protests against parallel-traders put pressure on HK government to curb mainland visitors
With more angry protests likely against traders who swamp the northern New Territories, the pressure is mounting to curb mainland visitors
Three rounds of scuffles between police, protesters against cross-border trading and border residents since last month have put fresh pressure on the government to review the policy of allowing individual visits from the mainland.
Locals in Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Yuen Long are angry at traders who profit at their expense by visiting frequently on multi-entry permits to buy up baby formula and diapers - and other mainlanders who similarly make a beeline for the much sought-after items.
The trading activities and large numbers of mainland shoppers jack up prices, drain retail supplies and jam walkways and public transport, according to residents. Yet another protest, in Tsuen Wan or Sheung Shui, is brewing this Sunday.
"We want to highlight the problems related to mainland travellers. Parallel-goods trading is only one of the problems," said Ray Wong Toi-yeung of Hong Kong Indigenous, which helped organise the first of the protests, in Tuen Mun on February 8.
Wong said their concerns went beyond the traders, who cart products across the border without paying import taxes.
