Hong Kong residents living near border with mainland China fear return of parallel traders and shoppers, as police step up patrols
- Law enforcement officials conduct patrols in areas previously frequented by traders who buy stock in Hong Kong and sell it in mainland China
- Residents complain crowded pavements made it difficult to walk around
Hong Kong law enforcement patrolled the northern district of Sheung Shui on Friday amid residents’ concerns over the return of parallel traders following the full reopening of the border with mainland China.
The Post observed the return of suspected parallel traders outside Sheung Shui MTR station, which used to be a hotspot for people hoping to shift goods across the border.
They distributed goods to couriers, who would then take them towards Sheung Shui station, which is one stop away from border crossings at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. A Post reporter observed the process happening at least twice within half an hour. Parallel traders buy stock in Hong Kong and resell it on the mainland at a profit.
A Post reporter observed law enforcement officials conducting a routine patrol around areas frequented by mainland tourists and parallel traders on Friday afternoon. The group, with numbers in the dozens, comprised officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Immigration Department and police.
Some city residents are concerned the resumption of cross-border travel will mean the crowds seen before the pandemic will return.
Peter Mak, a 27-year-old construction worker, lives in Tai Po but visits Sheung Shui several times a week.
Although the number of mainland tourists and parallel traders was not as high as before the pandemic, he said he was worried about the district being overrun again.