Mainland not target of baby formula limits: Leung  

梁振英称港奶粉市场已恢复正常 望内地民众理解

香港特别行政区行政长官梁振英6日在北京表示，香港于3月1日正式实施“奶粉新例”，零售市场的奶粉供应已恢复正常，“新例适用于所有人，并不是针对内地居民，希望获得内地居民的理解和谅解”。

Beijing (CNS) -- Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said on Wednesday that the city's new purchase limit on baby formula is not aimed at mainland residents.

Leung made the remarks during a press meeting on the sidelines of the two sessions, saying that communication measures are being stepped up to make sure that mainland residents understand the motives behind the legislation.

Hong Kong's imports of baby formula have increased significantly, from 15 million kilograms in 2008 to last year's 49 million kilograms, while the birthrate only increased by 17 percent during the same period, Leung said.

The general shortage of infant formula at retailers caused by parallel trading and tourist consumption has persisted for weeks, and local mothers have complained that they cannot buy baby formula, he said.

We tried various other measures before deciding to implement the limit on milk formula purchases, he added.