IT was only 10.30 am, but business at the Xinhua Fair Trade Centre was already as hot as the summer heat in the capital of Hebei.
As many as 200,000 traders travelled from all directions eachmorning to Shijiazhuang, a district with a 280,000 population, in search of bargains.
As dusk fell, many headed home with bags of clothes and other buys, ranging from calendars featuring Hongkong pop singers to sheets, cassette tapes and jeans.
All the goods remain in great demand in the countryside, despite being of low quality.
Vice Magistrate of the Xinhua District, Liang Xiuzeng, said: ''People have more money in their pockets after the system, under which everybody was paid the same, was abolished. They have strong purchasing power and are aspiring for a richer material life.
''Many of these traders bought a large quantity and will sell to peasants or people who live in remote areas.'' The annual turnover of the market has jumped in recent years, making it fourth highest in the mainland. Last year, the total amount of trade reached 1.7 billion yuan (HK$2.29 billion).