ABOUT 2,000 lorry drivers called off their border blockade yesterday afternoon, after Shenzhen Government officials gave the drivers' leaders an assurance they would investigate allegations of corruption by customs officers and a pledge to ensure smooth passage through border check points.
The one-day blockade affected the supply of Chinese vegetables to Hongkong and prices in the territory rose by as much as 35 per cent.
The majority of the drivers agreed to the deal but said they would rethink their position in one month. A minority was cynical about the pledges from the officials, who included the deputy mayor. The officials will take their findings to the State Council in Beijing.
The drivers' representatives - including Legislative Councillor Tam Yiu-chung and National People's Congress of China deputy Luk Tat-him - said a hotline would be set up to record complaints from drivers.
Mr Tam said deputy mayor Zhang Hongyi and his colleagues would look into any complaints and both sides would meet to review the situation in one month.
The drivers alleged customs officers had been demanding ''tea money'' in order to allow quick clearance through the border.