Organisers of a new computer fair in Sham Shui Po protested outside the Hong Kong Computer Festival yesterday, but they appeared to have benefited from their rival's change of venue.
The Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry and Sham Shui Po District Council co-organised the annual festival, which opened yesterday. It was moved from Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po to Cheung Sha Wan Playground this year.
The Hong Kong Computer Association had declared a price war, launching the new Sham Shui Po Computer Festival on Monday inside four shopping malls near the old venue of the annual expo.
On the first day that the two festivals overlapped, 40 protesters alleged the government's co-hosting of expo-style festivals interfered with the industry and affected their businesses, as expos drew crowds away from their shops.
'We need to pay rent and pay our staff every month,' said Lui Kin-chung, vice-chairman of the association. 'We want a normal business environment.'
Lui led the small-business owners in throwing ceramic bowls onto the ground - to indicate that their livelihood had been shattered.
Responding to the association's allegation, district councillor Lo Wing-man said: 'Sixty-three per cent of the exhibitors came from the malls.' He reiterated that the chamber had borne the cost of holding the event and that the council was not involved financially.