Mainland Star Xiao Zhan Draws Thousands to Tsim Sha Tsui Fan Event
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Mainland Chinese actor Xiao Zhan triggered an unprecedented fan frenzy in Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 19, when thousands of devoted followers descended upon the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Despite sweltering temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius, fans known as "Xiao Fei Xia" began queuing from as early as 6am, transforming the area into a sea of red. The massive turnout prompted police to erect barriers and deploy officers, while an MTR station exit introduced crowd-control measures from 2pm. Xiao arrived with his parents on August 17 and was spotted in Central that evening, ahead of his first public appearance since wrapping filming for his new drama "Ten Day Ultimatum."
Key Points
- Thousands of fans packed five floors of a shopping mall near the Avenue of Stars, with the outdoor area also filled with supporters
- Police erected barriers at the mall entrance and deployed officers and patrol vehicles to maintain order; no major incidents were reported
- The event area was restricted to fans wearing red outfits, with those in other colors reportedly prevented from entering
- Hong Kong media outlets were asked to leave by public relations staff who stated local press had not been invited to cover the event
- Xiao appeared at around 7pm in a smart suit, drawing loud cheers from the crowd that had waited for hours
Why It Matters
The scale of the fan gathering highlights the significant cross-border influence of Mainland Chinese celebrities in Hong Kong's entertainment landscape. The incident underscores the operational challenges public spaces face when accommodating large-scale fan events, particularly in areas with heavy tourist traffic. As Hong Kong continues to strengthen cultural ties with the Mainland, events of this magnitude may become more frequent, prompting authorities to develop more robust crowd management protocols for celebrity appearances.
The scale of the fan gathering highlights the significant cross-border influence of Mainland Chinese celebrities in Hong Kong's entertainment landscape. The incident underscores the operational challenges public spaces face when accommodating large-scale fan events, particularly in areas with heavy tourist traffic. As Hong Kong continues to strengthen cultural ties with the Mainland, events of this magnitude may become more frequent, prompting authorities to develop more robust crowd management protocols for celebrity appearances.