After years of being shunned, street vendors in Shanghai have
finally won some support, with the city agreeing to lift its ban on
them.
Throughout the country, these roaming hawkers have long been
prevented from operating in urban areas for fear they will tarnish
cities' image. Indeed, they are often regarded as not even having a
legitimate profession.
But now, in Shanghai at least, they are allowed to sell their
wares on the city streets at designated times, and can even work in
residential areas as long as they get permission from the
residents.
According to figures from a Xinhua News Agency report, there are
more than 50,000 street stalls without pitch licenses in Shanghai
supporting tens of thousands of families.
However, the move to allow street vendors to operate has had a
mixed reception among both experts and the public.
In a recent online poll by China Daily, 55.29 percent
of the 841 people questioned said they supported the move, while
33.06 percent were against it. The remaining 11.65 percent did not
express an opinion.
"I applaud this policy. There are many vendors living a
miserable life in Shanghai and they need help and care. We should
not restrain them just for the reason that they may make the street
chaotic. The better way is to show them how to live their lives
legally and properly. "
Qian Hailing
A resident in Shanghai's Yangpu district
"I see the move as a sign of the great progress Shanghai is
making in its administration. The conflict between street vendors
and officials reflects the dilemma cities face, but they must
shoulder the burden of being both an international metropolis and a
destination for rural immigrants. Municipal governments always
strike a balance between the two functions."
Li Guoqing
A researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
"Don't hurry to praise or criticize Shanghai's move to give the
green light to street vendors. We should take time to see the
results before making an evaluation. I think the city might still
face difficulties in properly handling this issue."
Xia Xueluan
A sociologist at Peking University
"It's really a bad decision. Why does the government change its
policies so easily and irresponsibly? When the city is flooded with
street vendors in a few months, the government may then decide to
ban them again."
"badbad"
On the forum at www.chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily April 2, 2007)