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.

Mr Tam also said the Chinese authorities, in particular, were most concerned about the alleged corruption prevailing at the border check points.

''But you drivers will have to give them more detailed information. They will need more evidence,'' he told the hundreds of drivers who had gathered at a Chinese restaurant in Sheung Shui to hear the outcome of the meeting.

The Chinese officials had said they would not ''victimise'' anyone who made a complaint, Mr Tam said.

Of the pledges by Shenzhen Government officials, Mr Tam said: ''They are high ranking officials. And they were very sincere.

''The Chinese are extremely concerned about the matter as it affects the economic development of both sides. And the lorry drivers play an important role in this.'' The drivers also complained about the many types of inspections and fees levied.

''But this is not a matter that can be resolved overnight. The Shenzhen authorities need to make reports to the State Council in Beijing and the relevant Chinese departments,'' Mr Tam said.

However, a number of drivers did not share Mr Tam's optimism.

One driver, who declined to give his name, said he was ''definitely not convinced'' the situation would improve.

''There is 100 per cent corruption out there. Positive. For instance there are about 200 parking spaces at the Chinese border for lorries to park after the gates close at 10 pm. But we have to pay between $80 to $100 for a space.

''If we don't, we have to drive back to Hongkong and start queueing from the end of the line. And we will have to wait another four hours to get clearance,'' he said, adding the situation had deteriorated drastically in the last two months.

Meanwhile, the vice-director of Xinhua (the New China News Agency), Zhang Junsheng, said: ''We hope the relevant parties will converse and look into it as the matter affects the residents of Hongkong greatly.'' He said the traffic flow between the territory and the mainland could have been badly affected, as could economic development, if the blockade had continued.

Earlier yesterday, two container lorries blocked the outgoing lane at the Lok Ma Chau check point, to which drivers holding Man Kam To permits had been allowed access.

One driver said: ''It has been hard on our brothers who had to tolerate the inefficiency and the corruption the Chinese officers practise. In the early '80s when there were fewer trucks, the congestion was not so bad. But since 1985, the situation has worsened.

''The Hongkong Government is efficient, but the Chinese authorities are just the opposite.'' Tempers were frayed as six drivers had a heated argument with police before they agreed to move their vehicles.

Meanwhile, vegetable prices increased by 35 per cent for a short period yesterday morning but stabilised later. Hawkers said the quality of the vegetables from the mainland was affected as they had been kept in the lorries for too long.

Prices for imported vegetables rose in response to an anticipated short supply from China.

''The wholesale price of some imported vegetables has already risen by 20 per cent,'' one hawker said.