Society

Temple fair vendors protest competition

By Uking Sun (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-02-18 16:31
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Dozens of vendors temporarily closed the entrance of the temple fair at Shijingshan Amusement Park in Beijing on Thursday to protest what they said was improper management that had seriously affected their income.

Police rushed to the scene and restored order within 15 minutes.

The protestors, including barbecue workers and other snack sellers, said they bid and registered for stalls at the park, but then they learned that many unregistered vendors were competing for customers attending the fair to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

A vendor, surnamed Li, said he paid 60,000 yuan (8,779.18 US dollars)for a stall at the nine-day temple fair that began Sunday, but has only earned 10,000 (1,463.20 US dollars) because of the existence of too many sellers.

Other protestors complained about the less-than-expected numbers of visitors at the park and blamed the non-operation of some popular amusements.

People have been coming to the temple fair in western Beijing since the Lunar New Year began Feb 14.