Hong Kong authorities canceled the traditional fireworks display on New Year's Eve for fear of security threats in the context of social unrest.

Organizers of the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced yesterday the New Year's fireworks display on the night of December 31 in Victoria Harbor will be canceled for the first time in 10 years.

A police source said senior Hong Kong police officials feared it would be difficult to ensure security at an event that drew hundreds of thousands of people amid a backdrop of unrest in the city. Love broke out in June.

"Public safety is our top priority because fireworks can attract huge crowds gathered around the harbor," said Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Pang Yiu-kai.

The program is expected to be partially replaced by a fireworks display from the roofs of tall buildings in the city on a much smaller scale. The council is negotiating with building owners to host the event.

Hong Kong on New Year's Eve last year spent HK $ 14 million (US $ 1.8 million) on fireworks performance and light for the New Year.

The light show is still held on both sides of Victoria Harbor and residents can track the New Year countdown with their smartphones via live streaming.

Six months of protests and chaos caused a sharp drop in tourist arrivals and led to the cancellation of major events, including the Clockenflap Music Festival, the Hong Kong Open Tennis Tournament and the Wine Festival. The Chinese New Year parade will also be replaced by the festival because authorities say it is too risky to organize events in the Mekong region, one of the most heavily affected areas of the protest.

"The social unrest has not ended. Any violent act can cause chaos and put the safety of the playmates at risk," a police source said.

Hong Kong has been in turmoil since June due to protests against the extradition bill that allow suspects to be taken to areas where the extradition treaty has not been signed, including mainland China. The Hong Kong government withdrew the bill in September, but protesters still took to the streets to call on the government to meet the remaining four requirements.

Tourism, one of the pillars of Hong Kong's economy, has been hit hard by unrest. Data released on December 17 showed a 56% decline in tourist arrivals in November, the sharpest decline since April 2003, when the city was hit by the SARS outbreak.