Head of Hong Kong’s internal affairs department Lau Kong-wah today confirmed that the special zone government decided to cancel the lunar new year fireworks display on January 26 due to `the current situation`.

`After careful assessment, we have decided to cancel the fireworks display due to public security concerns,` Mr. Lau said.

Fireworks to celebrate the Lunar New Year last year at Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.

The 20-minute fireworks display held on the 2nd day of the lunar calendar every year is the largest-scale event in Hong Kong and is the focus of a series of activities to celebrate Tet.

Lawmaker in charge of tourism Yiu Si-win previously said the government was concerned about safety as the protests against the extradition bill that have lasted for 7 months in the special zone show no signs of ending.

`This is not good for Hong Kong’s reputation,` Mr. Yiu said, mentioning the cancellation of many important events.

Chan Suk-chong, representative of the pro-democracy alliance Tanya, said that canceling the fireworks display because of concerns about protests is illogical and that this decision once again affects Hong Kong’s international image.

`I don’t understand why the police are not confident in ensuring public security,` Chan said, arguing that the government lacks the will to properly manage the special zone and asked chief executive Carrie Lam to respond to five key demands.

In addition to canceling fireworks displays, other Lunar New Year activities in Hong Kong are also limited, with a three-day carnival replacing the Kowloon parade.

Protests broke out in Hong Kong last June to protest an extradition bill that would allow suspects to be sent to jurisdictions with which the special zone has not signed an extradition treaty, including mainland China.

After the Hong Kong government withdrew the bill, protesters continued to take to the streets to make other demands such as investigating the police’s use of force, holding democratic elections, and having Chief Executive Carrie Lam resign.

Hong Kong also had to cancel the New Year’s fireworks display due to concerns about protests.