HONG KONG

Scuffles broke out Sunday as Hong Kongers protesting against an influx of shoppers from mainland China clashed with villagers from the border area, local media reported.

Police used pepper spray as fighting broke out in Yuen Long as around 200 marchers protested against mainland Chinese who many accuse of distorting the local economy with their buying, as well as more general bad behavior.

A number of people were arrested.

The South China Morning Post said locals opposed to the protest exchanged insults with the demonstrators.

“No one welcomes you guys, go home! Don’t make trouble here!” one man shouted as protesters headed for Sau Fu Street, an area popular with mainland shoppers.

The protesters chanted: “Go away mainlanders! Go home and buy mainland products!”

The newspaper reported witnessing a middle-aged man beating a teenage boy who said he was an onlooker.

It was at least the third protest against mainland Chinese customers in Hong Kong’s northern suburbs. The absence of a sales tax in the territory makes items like cosmetics and luxury goods cheaper than across the border. Some goods bought in Hong Kong are resold on the mainland for a profit.