New wave of protests in Hong Kong increases

The international women's tennis tournament in Hong Kong added this Friday to the list of sporting and cultural events postponed or canceled in the wake of mass demonstrations in British excolonia.

The organizers of the Hong Kong Open WTA, which was scheduled for early October, announced their postponement sine die, adducing the "current situation" in the enclave.

Hong Kong is going through the worst political crisis since its retrocession to China in 1997, with demonstrations and protests almost daily, which in some cases degenerated into violent clashes between radicals and the security forces.

"After many conversations with our associates, we conclude that a quiet celebration of the tournament will be possible at a later date," the Hong Kong Federation (HKTA) said in a statement.

– Wellness in Singapore –

The WTA Tennis Open in Hong Kong, one of the most prestigious sporting events in the city, featured in past editions with the participation of several of the main players of the circuit such as Venus Williams, Angelique Kerber or Caroline Wozniacki, who was crowned champion in 2016.

This tournament is traditionally played at Victoria Park, one of the main concentration points of mass demonstrations.

The protests They started in June as a rejection of a Hong Kong bill that authorized extraditions to China.

Although the text It was definitely suspended, The mobilization was expanding its demands, to demand democratic reforms and denounce the retreat of freedoms in British excolonia and the growing interference of Beijing in the internal affairs of the semi-autonomous region.

Prodemocracy militants have been called to congregate on Friday night at two of Hong Kong's most celebrated highlights to participate in a light show, to give the Mid-Autumn Festival a political tonality.

This party, which allows families to traditionally gather, It is one of the most important events of the Chinese calendar.

On the other hand, political protests begin to have an effect on the city's economy, already hit by the trade war between China and the United States, and are making a dent in Hong Kong's reputation for stability.

More and more artists cancel or postpone their concerts and shows in the city. It was the case of the South Korean singer Kang Daniel, the group GOT7 and the South African Trevor Noah, one of the best-known comedians and presenters in the United States.

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), a salon for welfare economics professionals, will finally be organized in Singapore.

– "Guarantee the security" –

On Thursday, the producers of the musical Matilda, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book, announced, one week after the first performances, that they canceled the functions of a month.

The theater where the show takes place is near the headquarters of the police, in whose surroundings there have been numerous altercations between the police and radical protesters.

"Unfortunately, these 14 weeks of instability in Hong Kong have sunk ticket sales and, more importantly, we cannot guarantee the safety and tranquility of our international company, largely made up of children," said James Cundall. , director of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, producer of the show.

These cancellations further sink the city's tourism sector, already burdened by protests.

Hong Kong registered in August a 40% decline in the number of tourists, regarding August 2018, said Hong Kong Finance Secretary Paul Chan.

The hotel occupancy rate was reduced by half, which has had countless repercussions on small businesses and restaurants.

The airline Cathay pacific He reported on Wednesday a 11.3% decrease in one year of his passenger traffic in August, a month marked by demonstrations at the airport, which caused hundreds of cancellations.