Chinese
authorities have uncovered a tunnel from the mainland to Hong Kong, apparently
built by smugglers.
The
tunnel, with concrete walls and interior lighting, started under a garage near
the city of Shenzhen and stretched for 40m (130ft) under a river and into
reed-beds in Hong Kong.
The
authorities believe gangs intended to use it to import mobile phones and other
electrical goods into Hong Kong.
The
semi-autonomous zone has different tariffs to the mainland.
The
smugglers could make huge profits by avoiding border fees and taxes.
The
tunnel was discovered last week in Changling village on the outskirts of
Shenzhen.
Local
media reported that a resident had complained about drilling noises that she
assumed were part of a renovation project.
Officials
described the tunnel as a professional job, estimated to have cost almost
$500,000 (£300,000) to build.
It is
believed the tunnel was about 20m short of its intended destination, a village
on the Hong Kong side of the frontier.
The authorities destroyed the tunnel on Tuesday and a
man has been arrested. (BBC)
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