Says Reuters: “Under China’s new anti-plastic bag laws, flimsy bags under 0.025 millimeters thick are banned and shopkeepers must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines and could have their goods confiscated.”
I forgot that the ban on free plastic bags had just come into effect. It also appeared to have slipped the mind of the sales girl at the shop I visited yesterday. According to that Reuters article, we were not alone.