The Zhuhai municipal government had banned begging around border checkpoints at Ghongbei, Jiuzhou, Wabzai, Hengqin and Doumen effective immediately, the government announced Wednesday.

There has been an increasing number of travelers using Gongbei checkpoint since Macao was returned to China.

However, beggars, people demanding tips for carrying bags and peddlers selling counterfeit goods had become a problem at Gongbei and other checkpoints.

(Shenzhen Daily July 30, 2004)