In this undated file photo, (from left to right) Regina Ho, Juliette Louie and Emily Wong pose after being named the top three winners of Miss Hong Kong Pageant in 2017. (PHOTO / CRI)

HONG KONG - The city's annual beauty contest – Miss Hong Kong Pageant – has been suspended for the first time since 1973 due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to local media reports. 

The Miss Hong Kong pageant 2019 champion Carmaney Wong Ka-man will remain continue to hold the title in 2020 following the suspension

The cancellation of the contest – a signature event for the city for years – comes after a number of events in the city were axed in a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by a novel coronavirus that has killed at least 81,451 people around the world.  

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In late January, Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), which organizes the pageant, had also suspended for the same reason the Miss Chinese International Pageant scheduled to be held on Feb 15. 

The Miss Hong Kong pageant 2019 champion Carmaney Wong Ka-man will remain continue to hold the title in 2020 following the suspension. 

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Over the years, the beauty pageant has introduced to the world Chinese megastars such as Maggie Cheung Man-yuk, Michelle Reis, Angie Chiu Ngar-chi and Anita Yuen Wing-yi.