Parallel traders back in Hong Kong after 'useless' four-day crackdown by mainland Chinese authorities
Sheung Shui residents say action by Shenzhen authorities kept town quiet
The number of so-called parallel-goods traders taking their Hong Kong purchases across the border for resale fell noticeably this week amid a surprise crackdown by mainland authorities, but their activities were back on the rise after the four-day campaign ended yesterday.
Media reports emerged on Monday that authorities in Shenzhen were to take action against the traders, including confiscating trolleys used to transport goods and checking identities for further investigation.
No reason was given for the move, but many traders chose to stay away.
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Hongkongers have protested against the traders, whom they accuse of causing overcrowding in towns close to the border, leaving locals short of supplies and changing the character of the northern New Territories, as shops serving traders edge out those used by residents. Several protests turned violent earlier in the year, but marches earlier this month passed off peacefully.
Leung Kam-sing, spokesman for the North District Parallel Imports Concern Group, said the number of traders in the border town of Sheung Shui noticeably declined between Monday and Thursday.
"It felt like the Lunar New Year, when the traders were on holiday," Leung said yesterday. "Yet they are back today, which means the crackdown was quite useless in the long run."