Miao Chunqi, a 54-year-old tourist from the Chinese mainland, died on Tuesday after a shopping brawl in Hong Kong.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The shocking death of a mainland tourist in Hong Kong started a war of words between the mainland and the "shopping heaven", which has climaxed in the virtual space. However, it has become a truly worrying sign in the real world.

Despite Hong Kong authorities' quick action to detain the suspects vowing a full investigate of the fatal beating, many netizens in the mainland are advocating for a boycott of Hong Kong trips.

On Monday morning, the 54-year-old Miao Chunqi from Heilongjiang province died in the tussle sparked by "forced shopping" at a jewelry shop.

The fight in the cyberspace caused an extreme case of reflection between some mainlanders and some Hong Kong residents.

Mainland netizens should think twice about the irrational call for a boycott as it may worsen the perception toward each other.

More importantly, the majority of Hong Kong residents should speaker louder against the small number of people's farces that damage the ties between the mainland and Hong Kong.

There are many ugly cases across China during peak travel season, from the high-priced shrimps in Qingdao of Shandong province to the bully tour guides in Yunnan province. But no case is as cold-blooded as the deadly beating which could deal a big blow to the already gloomy local tourism.

Like many travel disputes in other places, this tragedy is a painful result of long-time vicious competition among the ultra-low priced trips. The Hong Kong tourism authorities have reportedly said 85 percent trips organized by mainland travel agencies are "free-charged" or "at a steep discount".

The agencies, as well as the volunteer tour guides, make their money from forced shopping.

This tragedy needs to be recognized, the violence should be strongly condemned.