Hong Kong's former security and customs chiefs both hope the two-can export limit on infant formula will be temporary.
New National People's Congress deputy Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, former secretary for security, and new Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference delegate Timothy Tong Hin-ming, former customs and excise commissioner, spoke out in Beijing yesterday on the sidelines of the plenary sessions.
Lee - who like Tong has also served as head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption - said: "I hope it will be a temporary measure. When there is no shortage of supply, it should be reviewed."
With the daily limit set at 1.8kg, Lee added: "The restriction is a very tough measure.
"Many Hong Kong people work in the tourism industry. Positioned as a free port, such a measure should be introduced only when necessary."
Tong said: "Limiting exports is inconsistent with the traditional concept of trade. It should be a temporary measure."
The limit has been introduced to prevent shortages as mainlanders seek to ensure they avoid feeding their babies tainted products by buying powdered milk sourced in Hong Kong.