This meant that, unlike its two broadsheet rivals, Shenzhen Special Zone News and Shenzhen Commercial Daily, it was not hamstrung by any web of political or business connections in the city.
Shanghai Daily and Beijing News say a primary school teacher in Shenzhen city stamped pupils on the forehead to show who was a good student and who was a bad student.
"I bought enough for a month's supply for my family, " said Alin Song, a trader from Shenzhen who said he made the trip to Hong Kong after reading the news about cadmium.