Dozens arrested after Hong Kong protest

Scuffles erupted between police and protesters in Hong Kong yesterday, with dozens of arrests made, after thousands marched near the border, shouting pro-democracy slogans and venting their anger at mainland Chinese traders.

The demonstrators in Sheung Shui took aim at so-called “parallel traders” from China who buy vast amounts of duty free goods in Hong Kong and take them back to the mainland to sell at a profit.

Locals say it pushes up prices, overcrowds neighbourhoods and adds to growing tensions between Hong Kong residents and mainland Chinese.

Organisers estimated 10,000 people took part in the march, while police estimated a crowd of 2,500 at its peak.