Hong Kong Cancels Lunar New Year Parade for First Time in 24 Years Amid Protest Concerns

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The nighttime parade that was held every year during the Chunje (Spring Festival, Chinese New Year) period in Hong Kong will not be held this year.

On the 8th, the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced that the Chunje nighttime parade, which was held annually in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, will not take place this year. This is the first time since 1996 that the Chunje parade has been canceled.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board did not specify the exact reasons for canceling the Chunje nighttime parade. Given that Hong Kong protesters have frequently held demonstrations in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, it is interpreted as a measure to prevent accidents caused by protests during the busy Chunje period when many tourists gather.

With both airfare and hotel prices to Hong Kong lowered due to the protests, many Chinese tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong during the Chunje period, causing the government to be on high alert for clashes between anti-China and pro-China factions.

As the Hong Kong protests continue for a long time, large-scale events held in Hong Kong are also being canceled one after another.

This year's New Year's countdown fireworks festival was also canceled for the first time in 10 years due to police opposition. Previously, the fireworks festival scheduled for the night of October 1st, National Day, was also canceled due to concerns over protests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.