Hong Kong Arts Centre pulls plug on Denise Ho concert days after Canto-pop star and activist attacked by pro-Beijing paper

The venue cited a contract clause involving ‘public safety’ requirements but offered no specifics of decision to not allow the September 8-12 shows to go forward

Ho’s company slams ‘random termination’ of deal, which comes after newspaper Ta Kung Pao accused the singer of anti-China activities

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Canto-pop star Denise Ho marches at a demonstration organised by the Civil Human Rights Front in July 2019. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 12:15pm, 1 Sep 2021Updated: 11:23pm, 1 Sep 2021

Canto-pop singer and political activist Denise Ho Wan-sze has been banned from performing next week at one of Hong Kong’s top theatres, just days after pro-Beijing newspapers accused her of taking part in anti-China activities and claimed she was on police’s radar.

Responding to the termination of her contract on Wednesday, Ho, an anti-government activist who was vocal in her support of protesters during the 2019 social unrest, said she did not agree with the termination of the show at the Hong Kong Arts Centre and would go ahead with a live stream of her concert next Sunday.

Noting the venue’s mission of promoting “contemporary performing arts”, Ho’s company, Goomusic, expressed concerns in a statement about the direction the more than 40-year-old institution was heading in, and questioned how it could “face the public in the future”.

“We are very disappointed,” Goomusic stated. “We have thoroughly examined our released materials and show contents, but could not see where or how this performance or hiring has the possibility to endanger, or will endanger, public order or safety at all.”

Activist and singer Denise Ho listens to testimony during a congressional hearing about the Hong Kong protests in Washington in September 2019. Photo: AP

In its own statement, the Arts Centre said it had decided to cancel Ho’s reservation for the period between September 6 and 12 citing clause 22(c) of the centre’s terms and conditions. It also said it would return the booking fee of HK$127,800 (US$16,400) to Ho.