Plants placed along road to deter vendors in Kunming

Passersby walk across the potted plants placed at the ring passageway under Guibei overpass in Kunming, Yunan province. (Photo source: chinanews.com)

(ECNS) – A ring road under an overpass in Kunming, Yunnan province, has been decorated with potted plants, a new move against illegal roadside vendors, the local Chuncheng Evening News reported Tuesday.

Nearly 600 plants were placed under the Guibei Overpass, aimed at cutting down on available space for vendors and beautifying the surroundings, according to Liu Yiqing, manager of Daguan Properties Co Ltd, which installed the plants.

"It's the first time we've tried such a move to deal with street vendors. We hope citizens will back us and protect the plants," Liu said.

The plants have been on the passageway for a couple of days, said a nearby shop owner. "There are fewer vendors, but they didn't vanish," he said.

A man who works near the overpass said he supports the move. "The roadside vendors have affected traffic under the overpass."

Another citizen surnamed Wang said the move wouldn't deter street vendors, and the tall plants might provide a hiding space for potential lawbreakers.

"If we must have them, I suggest replacing them with some shorter and easier-to-cultivate plants, which can lower costs and potential safety risks as well," Wang added.

Han Han, a teacher at Yunnan University, said placing plants along the passageway can save human and financial resources to deal with street stalls. "So far, the move is working," he said.