Hong Kong has been accused by a myriad western governments of being a centre of smuggling for drugs, prostitutes, weapons and classified technology over the years. It's not for nothing we are called Asia's world city. Now we can add a new item to the list: Australian rock lobsters (pictured below).
Shenzhen customs have apparently banned the import of the crustaceans from Australia in the past two weeks. The state government of Victoria is up in arms because the exports represent a good chunk of the state's economy. Traders and fishermen are blaming Hong Kong middlemen, who buy the lobsters from them and then allegedly smuggle the lobsters into Shenzhen to avoid paying tariffs.
'The way in which the lobsters get into Shenzhen, they are smuggled across the border into China, which is not a good situation,' Nic Sofoulis, the executive officer of the Western Rock Lobster Council, told the Sydney Morning Herald. The council estimated up to 80 per cent of Australia's live lobster sales went to Hong Kong buyers.
So, let me get this right. Everyone in Australia turned a blind eye when its fishermen and lobster traders were doing brisk business in Hong Kong. Our smugglers do the dirty work while they pocket the money. But now, Shenzhen has intervened and we are suddenly the baddies. Well, thanks a lot for that, Australia.