Many in the Hong Kong business sector have suggested that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government could build a large shopping mall in Luohu, adjacent to Shenzhen, without restricting mainland visitors from purchasing goods, including milk powder. It is believed that the Hong Kong SAR government is already considering and studying the aforementioned suggestions, and it is anticipated that the "milk powder purchase limit" in Hong Kong will soon be gradually relaxed.
This is because, on one hand, the primary purpose of the Hong Kong SAR government's implementation of the "milk powder purchase limit" is to ensure that local infants in Hong Kong have an adequate supply of milk powder. The original intent of the policy was not to completely prevent tourists from purchasing milk powder in Hong Kong. Therefore, as long as the supply of milk powder is sufficient and passes the pressure tests, the Hong Kong SAR government will consider lifting the "milk powder purchase limit". Moreover, having more tourists come to Hong Kong to purchase milk powder is seen as more beneficial than detrimental for Hong Kong, which is a consensus among many Hong Kong residents.
On the other hand, the "milk powder purchase limit" implemented by the Hong Kong SAR government is not specifically targeting mainland tourists who come to Hong Kong through the "Individual Visit Scheme," but rather those who disrupt the normal order of the milk powder market in Hong Kong, known as "parallel traders" (individuals engaged in smuggling activities between mainland China and Hong Kong). Furthermore, upon closer observation, over 60% of these parallel traders are Hong Kong residents. The Hong Kong SAR government has also taken measures to strictly enforce the law and eliminate the illegal activities of parallel traders. As the normal order of the milk powder market in Hong Kong gradually resumes, the "milk powder purchase limit" can soon be lifted.
Additionally, apart from a very small number of Hong Kong residents, the Hong Kong SAR government and the vast majority of Hong Kong residents are not indifferent or unfeeling towards their mainland compatriots. The people of Hong Kong have always been quick to offer help during disasters such as floods and earthquakes in mainland China. The reason the Hong Kong SAR government initially implemented the "milk powder purchase limit" was that, with a population of 7 million, Hong Kong found it difficult to meet the enormous demand of 1.3 billion people in mainland China. Therefore, Hong Kong residents, in order to protect themselves, had to take this measure. As long as Hong Kong residents can protect themselves, their strong ties with their mainland compatriots will naturally exert significant public pressure on the Hong Kong SAR government to lift the "milk powder purchase limit."
Under the strong mainstream public opinion in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong SAR government, which has consistently adhered to a "free market policy," has recently reviewed related purchase limit policies, conducted multiple milk powder pressure tests, and planned to build a large shopping mall in Luohu, actively seeking solutions to relax the "milk powder purchase limit." It is believed that the day when mainland residents can purchase milk powder in Hong Kong without restrictions will come soon.
Of course, it must be pointed out that the root cause of the "milk powder purchase limit" does not lie with the Hong Kong SAR government, but rather with the lack of food safety guarantees in mainland China, which has caused anxiety among mainland residents, leading them to rush to Hong Kong to buy milk powder. To solve this problem, it is crucial for the government to implement stricter regulations to address safety concerns regarding infant food and to rebuild public confidence.
