Wong
Ting-kwong, a representative of the import and export sector, has
revealed that a deal has been struck with a group of villagers to
convert a 420000 sq ft site into an outdoor shopping center. The
site is located on the convergence of San Tin Tsuen and Castle Peak
Roads, which is currently being used for car repair workshops,
warehouses and parking. The plan is to make use of hundreds of
shipping containers to quickly convert this area into a shopping
center in time for the ‘golden week’ holiday which commences on
October 1.
This
plan is being implemented after residents of towns such as Tuen Mun
and Sheung Shui expressed their anger at traders who purchased goods
in Hong Kong to resell on the mainland. They state that it places
tremendous pressure on public transport and stores selling
necessities.
Wong
has expressed hope that tenants will be moved out by the end of May
so that work on installing the containers can be commenced. The plan
is to rent half of these containers to Hong Kong brand retailers, one
third to those selling products such as diapers, milk powder,
sportswear and clothing, and the balance will be for those providing
beverages and food.
The
investment into this new center will be hundreds of millions of
dollars and it will be able to provide facilities for 3000 visitors
each hour.
A
district councilor and a travel agent have cast doubt over the
difference this project will eventually make.
According
to the honorary president of the Inbound Tour Operators Association,
Charles Ng Kwong-wai, the development will potentially be used mostly
by tourists making use of the individual visit scheme, which allows
residents of 40 of the mainland cities to visit Hong Kong outside of
group tours. He stated that those who travel with groups were
unlikely to make use of this facility as they have access to malls in
convenient areas such as Yau Tong and Kwun Tong.
The
district councilor of Tuen Mun district, Kaman So Ka-man, said
tourists will be attracted by the diversity of the products and
price, but malls will react to this by offering more discounts.
Those
making use of the individual visit scheme increased by 7.6%, to reach
16.5m during last year. The number of visits by Shenzhen residents,
who were allowed multiple trips to the city, reached 14.9 million.
This figure has increased by 22.2% compared to 2013. During last
year, the total visits by mainlanders reached 47.2m. This is an
increase of 16% on the previous year.
This
increase in visitors has sparked protests and concern. Activists
based in Tuen Mun stated that almost 12000 people from the mainland
arrived on buses during a three-hour period during last month. It
was later agreed by Citybus that they would stop selling bulk tickets
to malls, which had made use of free transport to attract shoppers.
