Hong Kong fireworks, horse races abandoned amid protest threat

China's National Day is often marked with elaborate fireworks.

But that's not the case in Hong Kong this year, with the government cancelling the display - citing concerns over "public safety."

For some of the city's residents - it shows the government is "intimidated" by the ongoing protests.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) 20-YEAR-OLD UNIVERSITY STUDENT, PETER (SURNAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

"I think they are recognizing that our protest is having such effect, and they are quite acknowledging our protests right now, and so they are intimidated to cancel those events to say that to protect public safety."

The prestigous Hong Kong Jockey Club also cancelled all races planned for Wednesday (September 18) after protesters against the Beijing government said they would target the Happy Valley racecourse.

"Hong Kong Bet" had been due to run in the evening program and is part-owned by pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho, who has taken a firm line on the protesters, calling them "black-shirted thugs."

The weekend saw fresh violence with police firing tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters armed with petrol bombs.

Demonstrators are angry about what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in their city's affairs despite the tradition of autonomy.