A gathering of modified car enthusiasts in an underground parking lot of the capital's biggest shopping mall was busted by Beijing police on Friday night.

A crowd of at least 26 car owners holding a get together in the underground parking lot of Galaxy Soho mall were fined for illegally modifying their cars, authorities said. Two vehicles were seized, while the owners of the other cars were instructed to restore their vehicles to factory status. 

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Owners were fined ¥200 ($30) for each car with an altered appearance and color. 

Some vehicles were also found to have fake license plates.  

Beijing's Traffic Management Bureau said that car modification without proper registration is illegal in China, such as changing the color, and replacing the engine and the frame of the vehicle. This ensures that the modified vehicle meet the safety requirements of the government even after being altered. 

Violators can face a fine of ¥1,000 ($150). 

The organizer of the underground 'party,' Shi Haitao, told the Beijing News that they, the car modifiers, are often mistaken as street car racers, which is also experiencing police crackdown. Shi said that they are against car racing, even taking measures to boycott the practice. 

"Car modification does not equal car racing. Although we accept the fines, we will not give up our hobby," Shi said.  

Beijing police said on its official Weibo account that although car racing is different from modification, secret car modification is still illegal. 

Shi explained that the car owners and enthusiasts gather at the parking lot every week for exchanging views and casual chat. The arrival of 50 to 60 police officers were totally unexpected. 

"We heard of the police locating cars with fake plates but someone reported us," said Shi, adding that the owners of the cars with fake license plates are not related to the group. 

Premium sports cars such as a Lancer Evolution, Porsche 911, a Ferrari, a Honda Jed, and Nissan GT-R35 were found in the party. 

Tagscar modification in China, car modification illegal, why is car modification illegal in China?, Beijing Police