The organisers of a five-day food carnival at the start of next month have said they are “not worried” about possible disruptions from residents wanting to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown at the site of the event, where previous June 4 vigils were held in the past.
William Shie Tak-chung, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations that is among the pro-Beijing community groups jointly hosting “Hometown Market”, said the organisers hoped to hold the event yearly, but did not specify whether future editions would aim for the same venue and dates.
The carnival will take place for a second consecutive year at Victoria Park from June 1 to 5 and will feature cultural performances alongside numerous booths selling regional food products and dishes.
Every year on June 4, the park hosted a gathering commemorating the victims of the crackdown, but the event has been banned by authorities in recent years. The last one was held in 2019.
“Our event last year received the support of most residents, so there will not be any issues,” Shie said, adding that he had not witnessed cases of people disrupting last year’s carnival.
Shie denied that organisers had specifically chosen for the carnival to coincide with the June 4 anniversary, saying that dates of the carnival had been decided based on available slots given to them by authorities who oversaw the park.
The announcement of the carnival follows Hong Kong’s first arrests under its domestic national security law. Seven people were detained for allegedly publishing seditious materials linked to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown with the aim of inciting hatred of the local and central governments.
Chow Hang-tung, vice-chairwoman of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China that had organised previous June 4 vigils, was among those taken into police custody.
Asked about the arrests, Shie said he did not think holding Hometown Market on the same date and location of previous vigils would bring any trouble or disruption, noting that society has been calm.
The event is co-hosted by the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organisations and 27 other allied groups representing various parts of mainland China.
Compared with last year’s edition, the carnival will span five days instead of three, feature 23 more booths than the previous 201, and involve 28 different regional groups, up from 26.
“This year’s edition of the Hometown Market Carnival will not only continue last year’s exhibitions, food specialities and cultural performances, but also include new elements and experiences,” said Kung Chun-lung, chairman of the Hong Kong Guangdong federation.
Kung added that while the carnival reflected mainland customs and sentiments, it also “carried the deep emotions and goodwill of mainland hometowns towards Hong Kong residents” and promoted “the vision of Hong Kong and the mainland developing together”.
According to Shie, organisers are expecting about 200,000 attendees, twice the number who went last year.
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