Shenzhen Government Online
Business areas to be designated for hawkers
From: Shenzhen Daily
Updated: 2020-09-18 09:09

The subdistrict offices across the city may be granted the right to designate areas for hawkers, or street vendors, to conduct businesses and tighten supervision over business venues, according to a draft amendment to the regulations on urban environment and hygiene management released by the Shenzhen Municipal Justice Bureau.


The amendment tries to explore a new social governance mode by clarifying the legal basis for subdistrict offices in the enforcement of rules on illegal hawking, vending and peddling.


In urban environment management, the amendment tries to shift the role of government from taking on all things to regional autonomy guided by government. Through grass-roots organizations like community work stations, residents’ committees, property management companies and joint-stock companies at grass-roots levels, the amended regulations hope to form a new diversified management mode in the urban environment that is guided by government, self-governed at the grass-roots level, coordinated by social organizations and participated in by the general public.


In the amendment, the bureau devotes one chapter to the principal responsibility of the law enforcement units at subdistrict offices, showing the city is shifting to a service-based government.


A 2-year-long report completed by Shenzhen’s urban administration in 2015 showed the city had about 150,000 hawkers. The district governments are working on the pilot programs by setting up more than 150 venues to guide more than 10,000 vendors to do business in fixed places. The programs helped improve urban environment, maintain order and offer job opportunities.


To optimize the business environment, department stores and shops are allowed to operate their businesses within the designated areas outside their doors or windows. Those which fail to correct, and operate outside designated areas will be fined 1,000 yuan (US$148) to 5,000 yuan, or face confiscation of their utilities if they are fined more than four times a year. The law enforcement units don’t need to notify the market supervision departments to suspend the license of the businesses, or even halt their operations.


The amendment also requires the organizers to keep up hygiene and maintain a clean environment during ceremonial occasions and cultural or sport activities. Otherwise, they may be fined 10,000 to 50,000 yuan.



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