Expo Update
Friday, 05 February 2010 08:02
Written by Urbanatomy

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Ever got out of the metro at Lujiazui and been attacked from every angle by flying Haibaos coming from one angle, a Haibao kite from the other and some one trying to shine your shoes? Well, the shoe shiners ain't movin', but the Haibao hawking game may be over.

The local industry authorities are targeting metro stations and markets to crack down on fake Shanghai 2010 World Expo souvenirs, officials said yesterday. We did report this a couple of months ago here, but now there getting tough.Like scary tough.

"We will give sellers a warning the first time they are found to sell fake Expo souvenirs, but they will be driven out of the market for the second time," said Xing Dongsheng, director of the bureau's trademark department. So if you're still looking to get a bunch of fake Haibaos in time for Chinese New Year gifts for your girlfriend's fake sister's child, then run, run like the wind to a metro station near you.

Apparently more than 630 official Expo souvenir shops have been established around the country, selling more than 8,000 types of products. That's Haibao keyrings, hats, pens, laser pointers, toilet rag, that boy is everywhere.

On the fakes, I once got given a fake Haibao as a gift. I held it close to my heart and hugged it every night, But there was something weird about it. It kind of looked at me funny. It had eyes that were too close together and a floppy quiff (it also smelt of paint, but hey), and it just didn't feel right. So it was about time that someone stepped in and banned the buggers.

Next up, there'll be taking away fake Ralph Lauren shirts. Imagine that.

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