Beijing has moved to restrict entry of mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong --- from unlimited to just once a week. 

Shoppers from mainland China had caused tensions in Hong Kong, as locals complain of shortage of household goods and long queues. Residents, particularly those from the southern Chinese area of Shenzhen, visit Hong Kong to do mass shopping.

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They take advantage of the multiple entry visa to stock up on products for the use in their home, or sell the goods back in mainland for a small amount of profit. However, some are doing mass shopping on a much bigger scale. 

A former Hong Kong spokesman for consumer affairs said these individuals work for well-organized groups focused on importing goods from Hong Kong to Mainland China for a much higher price --- known as parallel trading. This practice had resulted to shortage of goods in Hong Kong.

So what exactly do these shoppers buy and what is the reason behind the mass shopping?

Everyday items such as food, cosmetics, alcohol and tobacco are just some of the most popular goods purchased by day-trippers. A report by investment bank Goldman Sachs showed day-trippers account for 90 percent of the 15 million multi-entry mainland Chinese visitors in 2014. 

Infant formula milk, nappies and medicines are also among the most purchased goods in Hong Kong.  Baby formula products from Hong Kong are perceived to be much safer than those manufactured in mainland China. This had prompted the Hong Kong government to impose its two-tin-can limit on baby formula being brought out of Hong Kong.

Products from Hong Kong bear much more credibility than those made in the mainland due to the prevalence of counterfeiting there. Hong Kong goods are preferred for their quality.

Other reasons for parallel trading include the strength of Renminbi against the Hong Kong dollar and the fact that Hong Kong goods aren't taxed, making them more attractive to mainland consumers.

The Hong Kong government explained that the move to restrict the entry of mainland visitors to the semi-autonomous city is aimed at curbing parallel trading. 

Some netizens from the mainland had called the new policy as unfair.

"Hong Kong (people) really are hypocrites (wanting wealth while not wanting tourists)," one netizen said.

"One country two systems. Hong Kong people returning to China should have weekly limits to meet the requirements of equal status," another netizen wrote.

TagsChinese shoppers, Hong Kong, Mainland China, parallel trade