Mainland Couriers in Hong Kong. (Creative Commons)

While China has been protesting against the Japanese, Hong Kongers have been busy protesting the Chinese, the Shanghaiist reported. 

The Sheung Shui MTR station is one station away from the immigration checkpoints at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau, which are important smuggling trade points between Hong Kong and China’s southern city of Shenzhen. 

Mainland Chinese couriers have been coming in and out of Hong Kong with a variety of goods ranging from name brand clothing, to tech gadgets such as smartphones and mp3s, to foods and drinks, all to avoid the trade tax imposed by China. 

For Hong Kong, this low-level trading has been beneficial for the economy who now depends on China’s tourism more and more. However in the cultural sense, mainlanders and Hong Kongers have very different views towards the matter. 

In a typical day, there are many couriers sorting out goods outside the station and it has become overwhelmed with the amount of couriers, the trash they leave behind, and the poor hygiene some bring with them. This in particular has angered many Hong Kongers and has prompted the protest. 

Protests in Hong Kong Against Chinese Education Reform

Protestors shouted anti-China slogans, titling many couriers as “dead locusts.” The term “locusts” has been used in Hong Kong to refer to the mainland couriers who feel that they have been robbing the city without reparation. 

This event, along with many others including the recently attempt to impose Chinese standardized education in the special administrated region of Hong Kong, or the Hong Kong hospitals occupied fully by pregnant mainland Chinese citizenship-reapers, continues to add fuel to the already burning fire. 

China and Hong Kong may be on the brink of serious authority talks. 

Watch videos of the protests below:

Reach Staff Reporter Joseph Krassenstein here.