New | Busting Beijing’s fast and furious: modified cars targeted in China’s crackdown on road racing

A modified car owners’ party has been raided at an underground car park in Beijing’s largest shopping mall in the city centre, police announced.

Two vehicles were confiscated on Friday by the authorities and 26 car owners fined for illegal modifications, the municipal police bureau said in a statement.

The raid, at the Galaxy Soho mall, was part of a national effort against illegal car modifications, with similar crackdowns reported in Nanjing, Xiamen and other cities this year.

China has among the world’s strictest regulations on vehicle modifications – even certain stickers on cars are banned.

But the recent moves by police have been targeted at street racing, which threatens public safety, mainland media have reported on earlier occasions.

READ MORE: Fast and Furious: US$650,000 Lamborghini and Ferrari wrecked in 160km/h Beijing road race crash

The basic fine for illegal modification is 1,000 yuan (HK$1,200) under the national traffic law.