Source: CCTV.com

06-30-2007 16:34

It is the last day of 2006, and Mrs. Yuan is at the market in Sheung Shui shopping for "poon choi", a traditional local holiday dish made up of several layers of ingredients, that symbolizes auspiciousness. This evening she is throwing a big New Year's Eve party.

Sheung Shui is the nearest town from Mrs. Yuan's home in the "forbidden area", a small area of 28 square kilometers, extending a length of 35 kilometer along the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Mrs. Yuan's husband, Mr. Yuan Renji has been a long time resident in the "forbidden area." More than 100 years ago, the Sham Chun River (Shenzhen River) became a natural border that divided Lo Wu into two sections, the section in Hong Kong being called Lo Wu, while the section in Shenzhen became known as Luohu. As it happened, due to the location of the land they owned, Mr. Yuan's ancestors ended up becoming residents of Hong Kong. Nowadays, Mrs. Yuan's two cell phones can receive signals from both sides, highly convenient considering her husband's work involves travelling back and forth across the borders.

"He often calls me from Hong Kong or mainland. When he needs to get something done, he calls me and let me know what he needs. I often forward his messages to others, which is why I have two cell phones," said Yuan Renji's wife.

Yuan Ren Ji can see the busy traffic of Lo Wo from his home, and when the weather is good, he can even see Shenzhen, the hometown of his ancestors.

Sometimes he and his wife look through their old photo albums, and find themselves immersed in memories that are truly sweet.

"We had several wedding celebrations. We had a celebration with her family at Kowloon, another with my family in Sheung Shui, and my mother held yet another one for us in rural Shenzhen, which was the best as there was plenty of food, including chicken and pork. People from the whole village came to help and enjoy themselves. It was super! said Yan Renji, Hong Kong Resident.

The couple takes a walk every day along the border area, finding it enjoyable to look at the new skyscrapers springing up in Shenzhen and watch the hustle and bustle of Lo Wu.

At dusk, a herd of cattle can be seen returning to Shenzhen after feeding on the Hong Kong side for the day.

During the last thirty years, major changes have occurred in Shenzhen, the original hometown of Yuan Ren Ji's family. These days Luohu is the busiest place in Shenzhen, which today serves as China's busiest port of entry. 95% of Hong Kong residents who travel to the mainland carry the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, either in its old version or the new version issued in 1999. On this the last day of 2006, massive crowds of Hong Kong residents have been making their way through the port of entry at Lo Wu on their way home, and it will continue this way late into the night, until just before the arrival of the New Year.

"May everyone be happy and joyous, may every family be happy and joyous, may every child grow up quickly, and may everyone enjoy good health," said Yuan Renji's wife.

After Mr. Yuan and his family perform an ancestor-worship ritual, they busy themselves preparing for their big New Year's Eve party, to which more than 70 guests have been invited.