High property prices in Hong Kong are often attributed to the government's reliance on revenue from land sales. Even so, most Hongkongers have probably never thought of boycotting property developers, or writing an open letter to the chief executive asking for government controls.
While many locals may believe in allowing market adjustments, mainlanders hold different views - about the market, in general, and the role of the government in the property sector, in particular.
Frustrated by the rapid rise in housing prices, Zou Tao, from Shenzhen, recently launched a war against property developers, calling on fellow citizens to stay away from the booming market for at least three years in an effort to cool prices.
His crusade immediately drew thousands of supporters from across the mainland, thus ensuring there was not only a battle between consumers and developers, but also a war between citizens and local governments. In an open letter to Premier Wen Jiabao, some 15,000 protesters said they had become victims of prosperity.
Mr Zou earns a decent salary of 7,000 yuan a month. But after 10 years of saving, he still finds himself between a rock and a hard place. If he invests in a new apartment for his growing family, he will need to put aside at least 45 per cent of his income for mortgage repayments. He also has to find money for school fees for his child and medical expenses for ageing parents. But if he delays his plan, his home-ownership dream could be shattered, as the price of property in Shenzhen rose 20 per cent in the first quarter of this year alone.
But Mr Zou is not alone. Today, people in most big cities cannot afford a decent apartment because of the rapid rise in housing prices. In Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou, medium-sized apartments in residential areas within 45 minutes of the city centres cost between 16,000 and 30,000 yuan per square metre - out of reach of the middle class.