Beijing: A planned concert series glorifying the life of Chairman Mao has been cancelled in Sydney and Melbourne after strong backlash within the Chinese community prompted police concern over public safety were it to go ahead.

The tribute to Mao Zedong, marking the 40th anniversary of his death, touched a raw nerve among many Chinese-Australians, whose families suffered under the former Communist Party's brutal legacy, with the Cultural Revolution and Great Leap Forward contributing directly to the deaths of tens of millions.

Cancelled: Advertising material from the commemorative event.

Demonstrations had been planned for outside the Sydney and Melbourne town halls, where the concerts were to be held next week.

"The International Cultural Exchange Association's booking at Sydney Town Hall on 6 September is not going ahead due to concerns over public and patron safety," a spokesperson for the City of Sydney said, adding it had concerns over the "potential for civil disturbance" after consulting with NSW Police.