'No ban on slogans, songs at new year carnival'

'No ban on slogans, songs at new year carnival'

The Tourism Board said on Tuesday that people will be free to chant slogans or belt out songs at the Lunar New Year carnival it is planning, as long as it doesn't disturb other visitors.



But Tourism Board general manager Mason Hung admitted that there are concerns about anti-government protests surfacing at the venue.



The ongoing campaign against the government has seen flash mobs appearing in popular areas and shopping malls to chant slogans and sing songs like Glory to Hong Kong, which is now considered as a protest anthem.



Hung said extra security staff will be in place and there may be security checks at the entrances to the site.



"The safety for both the performing groups and also for the spectators, the participants, will be the most important thing to us. So we will closely monitor the situation and we will also raise the situation with the relevant authorities if needed, in the situation that we require support or assistance from any other parties," said Hung.



But he said no contingency plans like shutting down the carnival have been formulated.



Worried about clashes between protesters and the police, officials have cancelled the traditional new year parade through Tsim Sham Tsui.



But, they're promising a "Chinese New Year like no other", with a four-day carnival from January 25 at the West Kowloon Cultural District to ring in the Year of the Rat.



Hung said that they hope to attract 150,000 visitors to the carnival – a figure that would be similar to the turnout for last year's night parade.



He said HK$42 million will be spent on the festive event, compared with HK$34 million for the 2019 parade, and there will be food booths, workshops, stage performances and a parade around the arts hub. Admission will be free.



The Tourism Board says there will be around 50 local and overseas groups performing at the carnival, with their shows ranging from comedy and magic, to dance and acrobatics.