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Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 18:01
HK cancels New Year's Eve fireworks over protest concerns
By Bloomberg
Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 18:01 By Bloomberg

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, China, February 6, 2019. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong has canceled its traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks show over security concerns, the latest popular event to be scrapped in the Asian financial hub amid ongoing social unrest.

The fireworks show would be replaced by an enhanced version of the daily light show that plays over the city’s iconic harbor

The Hong Kong Tourism Board confirmed Wednesday that the fireworks show had been canceled and would be replaced by an enhanced version of the daily light show that plays over the city’s iconic harbor.

The Hong Kong Police Force had recommended abandoning the event over fears about holding a large-scale public event at a time when protests are still being planned, according to a police official who declined to be named. The demonstrations have turned violent on occasion in recent months.

READ MORE: Fitch: HK's role in global finance intact despite protests

The fireworks show is the latest in a long list of events torpedoed amid the city’s ongoing civil unrest, including major business conferences, races, big-ticket concerts and and a major music festival.

The protests began in opposition to the now-withdrawn extriditonal law.

ALSO READ: HK goods exports volume down 9% in October

Though unprecedented unrest over the last six months has tapered recently, it has severely damaged Hong Kong’s economy. The tourism and retail sectors in particular have suffered as tourist arrivals plunge, events get postponed and many local residents stay home. 

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