Official explains aim of new hawker policy
The government's policy U-turn to allow more hawkers, ice cream vendors and dai pai dong in the city is in answer to growing conservation concerns, a senior government official says.
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Cheuk Wing-hing said many Hong Kong people loved open bazaars and the local tastes of dai pai dong.
'Many years ago there were a lot of dai pai dong, causing nuisances to the environment,' Mr Cheuk said. 'Now only 28 are left and they are like antiques in a museum to some people.
'The department's primary role is to take care of environmental hygiene. But when we are able to ensure a good environment, then we should also take a look at conservation and the social functions of hawkers in Hong Kong.'
At the end of March, there were 6,531 fixed-pitch hawker licences - including 28 dai pai dong - and 590 itinerant hawker licences.
