Mainland Visitors Protest Smuggling Stereotypes in Hong Kong: “I Do Not Shop in Hong Kong”

Mainland Visitors Protest Smuggling Stereotypes in Hong Kong: “I Do Not Shop in Hong Kong”
Mar 17, 2015 By eChinacities.com

Chinese citizens fought against the Hong Kong stereotype that all Chinese tourists are smugglers by wearing signs reading, “I do not shop in Hong Kong,” in the Hong Kong International Airport. The twenty sign-wearing travelers stood out against a sea of Mainland tour groups and attracted much attention in the crowded airport. The Chinese tourists were in Hong Kong while in transit to board a boat headed to France. They were only in Hong Kong a few hours but wore their banners proudly as a protest against the attitude of the Hong Kong people.

A number of clashes between Hong Kong citizens and Chinese travelers have scared Chinese tourists away from Hong Kong in recent months. There have been significantly less Mainland tour groups in Hong Kong this year than there were in previous years. Chinese smugglers are scared as well: the number of smugglers found crossing the border in the Hong Kong's northern New Territories has also recently decreased.

Source: wenxuecity.com

Warning:The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: Hong Kong airport protest China smugglers

13 Comments

All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.

kuriku

I think it's interesting for mainlanders who can afford to shop in France to boycott shopping in HK--because obviously it's going to be cheaper in another country, and hey, even if it's not, it's not like they're lacking the funds to buy overpriced stuff. The people who are shopping in HK, smuggling, or just otherwise acting as "middlemen" are people who aren't rich and perhaps make the runs for a living. Can you blame them for grabbing a money making opportunity? Can you blame HKers for wanting to rid of these poor people? It all boils down to class division IMO.

Mar 29, 2015 01:53 Report Abuse

Guest240674

As for HKers scaring away so called smugglers, haven't you got anything better to do, a job, a family, or something better to achieve?

Mar 23, 2015 13:17 Report Abuse

Guest2301262

Apparently many of them consider a shit free home where they and their family work and live a worthy achievement.

Mar 23, 2015 19:38 Report Abuse

Guest240674

Theres nothing shit about ppl making money for there families. Lose buyers, HK locals lose business. I can't see HK staying afloat with coal, iron ore, natural resources.

May 09, 2015 01:34 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

Lols, well if Mainland people start understanding that it's bad to be stereotyped a few will stop stereotyping others? Probably not

Mar 19, 2015 17:54 Report Abuse

sorrel

I have some sympathy with the HK'ers when their supermarket shelves are emptied by the mainland Chinese when it comes to daily necessities, which are then sold on at a profit: baby formula is a case in point. This is a case of poor quality control in China. AND it is different when something is purchased for an individuals own use and the smuggling of processed food products on a widespread basis that is occurring. Purchases of luxury goods is another issue.

Mar 18, 2015 03:43 Report Abuse

musicjunkiealex

I do exactly the same thing. I only live 6 subway stops from HK, takes less than 20 minutes to get to the border. I go at least once a month and fill a rucksack with stuff from the supermarket, not to mention the scores of electronic items, books and audio products I've bought from there. I have so much HK stuff I have 3 plug adaptors. A friend of mine went there once solely because he had a craving for a Marks and Spencers pork pie. China is one of the worst countries for shopping you'll ever see, just full of overpriced shit due to all the taxes and ridiculous rental costs.

Mar 18, 2015 00:43 Report Abuse

estern

M&S is always my first stop when I go there.

Mar 19, 2015 13:36 Report Abuse

Guest2301262

Yup. If you like ice-cream have a real Häagen-Dazs®, available at most supermarkets there. Often enough the price difference of a 392g cup offset a single trip's fare already. Most importantly you needn't wonder what the @#$# you're enjoying.

Mar 20, 2015 21:00 Report Abuse

Robk

I am happy that Chinese are realizing the difference between quality and junk. This sort of mindset of "We want better" will translate into other areas. This means better customer service, better quality products and better food. People will now demand it and that's the beauty of capitalism.

Mar 17, 2015 23:14 Report Abuse

Guest2301262

Must be heavenly news to many Hongkongers. Would be even better if they don't show up at all. As for the shoppers, if they love their country so much and are so proud of it why don't they use made in china products? LOL

Mar 17, 2015 19:13 Report Abuse

bill8899

They were going to France to shop. Come on, it's China's national pastime for the wealthy. Go abroad and buy stuff. And who can blame them? I don't. Why pay 1000 rmb for a $60 pair of jeans when you can buy them on your trip?

Mar 17, 2015 18:55 Report Abuse

Guest2301262

'I don't even trust the so called "HK import" shops around here.' Definitely one proof of a seasoned china expat.

Mar 20, 2015 21:07 Report Abuse