The government on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the fireworks display as part of the New Year's Eve countdown.

It also said countdown celebrations will be moved to the pedestrian area on Chater Road in Central.

Traditionally, the fireworks show ushering in the New Year takes place over Victoria Harbour.

The government did not give a reason for the change.

"The New Year's Eve countdown event this year will forgo the fireworks display and take place in an alternative format to welcome the New Year together with the public and visitors," the government said in a statement following a meeting of an interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan.

The Tourism Board will announce detailed arrangements for the countdown event later.

Officials also said they have discussed with their Shenzhen counterparts on extending the service hours of boundary control points on New Year's Eve, with mainland officials seeking approval from national port authorities on the matter.

Border checkpoints at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Lok Ma Chau will operate round the clock as usual on December 31.

Chan said a "notable increase" in visitors during the New Year holiday is expected, and promised to prepare well to welcome travellers.

Transport authorities would strengthen local public transport and cross-boundary coach services for countdown celebrations and other large-scale events, and formulate a contingency plan to set up a dedicated route for visitors to reach border checkpoints when necessary.

Police, for their part, would arrange sufficient manpower to implement crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements.