The first clients entered the store on Wednesday under the watchful eye of riot police, after queuing for hours. Days before the planned opening, a controversy over the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shein's platform triggered a new political outcry.

The Chinese e-commerce company said the product has been taken down from the platform. The incident happened just days before the retailer was set to open its first physical store…

Fast-fashion retailer faces political anger, fury from workers and warnings it will damage city’s progressive image