Anti–parallel trading protests

Protestors claim that parallel trading has caused a shortage of household goods and an increasing inflation rate.

However, as it went on, the organizer and protesters refused to follow the authorized route, which had Sheung Shui station as the destination.

Instead, they marched on Sheung Shui Plaza, occupied some traffic roads and started skirmishing with the police who accused them of participating in an unlawful assembly, triggering an hour-long standoff which lasted until late night.

A handful of journalists, including a female one working for the Agence France-Presse, were attacked by the police with batons for their live reporting of the event.

[8] As protesters walked to Yan Ching Street, Police used pepper spray and batons in an attempt to calm rally participants.

[14] The tensions and scolding between the demonstrators, mainland tourists and intervention of police officers caused the protest to turn into a conflict.

[16] The protest was initiated by nativist activists and a related Facebook page called "Reclaim Hong Kong, Defend The Local" (光復香港，捍衛本土) and aimed at expressing resent towards parallel traders and the inclination of the shopping mall to the mainland tourists.

[26] On the other hand, legislative councillor Gary Fan claimed that the protests happened because the government did not take any adjustment policies.

He suggested that the government should put limitation on the individual visit scheme and cancel multiple-entry permit.

[27] Secretary for Security, Lai Tung-kwok strongly denounced protesters' behaviour during the anti–parallel trade demonstrations.

[29] In addition, Zhang Xiaoming the director of the central government liaison office, commented about the protests when meeting the Hong Kong representatives in Beijing.

He claimed that the protesters should not damage the benefits of parallel traders and the problem should not be exaggerated or used as a tool to escalate cross-border conflict.