The Silk Street market in Beijing, popular among tourists for cheap goods, tarnished its reputation as authorities seized fake name-brand sneakers and sports wear in the latest raid at the market.

 

Law enforcement workers on Saturday confiscated 553 shoes of pirated Nike, 408 counterfeit Adidas shoes and 160 fake sports suits of the two famous brands after inspecting 11 booths at the market.

 

An official with the Chaoyang branch of the Beijing Administration of Industry and Commerce said they had dealt with dozens of cases of fake products in the shopping mall so far this year.

 

But the selling of fake goods still exists, especially at weekends, according to the official.

 

The official said they are keeping tight inspection on fake goods.

 

The Silk Street market, or Xiushui market in the Chaoyang District, has been popular with overseas tourists who have flocked to buy counterfeit and knock-off luxury clothes and accessories since 1985. In March 2005, the outdoor market moved to a multi-story building next to the Xiushui Street.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2007)