Photo by Luo Jian
The Vendor in Chongqing
Nation, page 13
Before 2006, street hawkers were a common sight in Chongqing city. Decked out with shoulder poles, bamboo crates loaded with wares, they clacked drums and peddled shoe pads, socks, nail-clippers, ear picks and other goods. But the municipal government decided such business was hurting the city's image and banned them. Unfazed, many vendors played a game of cat and mouse game with law enforcement in order to keep selling. In light of this, since late 2006 the government began to gradually legalize and regulate the trade. Since the financial crisis set in last October, more and more jobless migrant workers and recently unemployed have turned to making a living by peddling the streets of Chongqing.
Original article: [Chinese]