Kunming restricts face mask and T-shirt sales 'to prevent more environmental protests'

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Protesters wear face masks at a demonstration in Kunming on May 16. Photo: Screenshot from Sina Weibo

Published: 10:47am, 27 May 2013Updated: 4:13am, 29 Aug 2013

Kunming has banned bulk-buying of face masks and the sale of white T-shirts and has regulated photocopying in an effort to avoid another public protest after two demonstrations against a petrochemical plant had embarrassed the city's government.

The Yunnan provincial capital has also required those buying face masks to show personal identification. After news of that rule emerged on microblogs, Anning, a city under the administration of Kunming, apologised and cancelled the requirement.

Many people wore facial masks to prevent identification when hundreds of marchers took to the streets of the southwestern Chinese city on May 16 to protest against a petrochemical project, which is set to be built in Anning.

Facial masks have also become a symbol of protest for those objecting to breakneck economic development affecting air quality in Kunming, a city known for its "everlasting spring".

As Anning backtracked on the ID requirement on Saturday, residents discovered more restrictions have been imposed in the wake of the last protest.

Following up on online reports, the Southern Metropolis Daily uncovered a sales ban on white T-shirts in effect until at least the end of June. Many demonstrators wore white T-shirts bearing written slogans against the petrochemical plant.

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