A MAN wearing the uniform of Shenzhen Urban Administration, also known as Chengguan, has been charging protection fees from vendors around Xiangmi East Overpass on Shennan Boulevard at least since the end of December, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

    A reporter investigated the case disguised as a CD vendor. On Dec. 31, the reporter took a box of CDs to sell on the overpass. At around 6 p.m., a 40-year-old man wearing a dark blue uniform approached the reporter and said that snacks and clothes are more popular than CDs, giving the reporter suggestions on how to make more money.

    The reporter asked for the man’s name and phone number several times, but he declined to provide either.

    The man left without charging any fees and went to have a conversation with a vendor selling sweaters. The reporter heard the vendor say that he had managed to bring all his things up there and didn’t want to leave so early, asking the man for help.

    The vendor took out a pack of cigarettes and smoked with the man. Later, the vendor carefully took out 15 yuan (US$2.46) from his bag and put it into the man’s pocket. Then, the man went to talk to another snack vendor before leaving.

    “He doesn’t charge you protection fees if he thinks you sell too few things,” a vendor told the reporter. “If your products are popular, he will come to charge you.” The vendor said that the amount of protection fees depends on your personal relationship with him. “Some vendors weren’t charged because they know the man,” said the vendor.

    A female vendor said she sells things on the overpass almost every day and has had to pay over 700 yuan to Chengguan officers responsible for the urban environment on Shennan Boulevard. “They must be Chengguan. They don’t allow us to sell if we don’t pay them,” she said.

    Another vendor selling clothes under the overpass said she was always driven away because she was unwilling to pay them protection fees. She recalled that she was once charged 500 yuan in a single day and told the reporter that vendors have to pay at least 300 yuan a month to sell on the overpass.

    The reporter went to sell CDs on the overpass four times, but did not meet a team of Chengguan officers.

    Usually, there are seven vendors on the overpass and six under the bridge and around bus stations who will come at about 5 p.m. and leave in the evening.

    (Luo Songsong)