Hong Kong businesses cancel promotional events, launches and spring lunches as coronavirus fear grips city.

Business events ranging from exhibitions, property sales and financial product launches to spring receptions have either been cancelled or delay across Hong Kong, as a result of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.

The cancellations, the worst since the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak, are likely to affect the sales of financial products and real estate in the city, one of the world's largest international financial centres, analysts said.

A joint annual spring reception organised by 10 industry bodies that represent 600 Hong Kong stock brokerages, to be held on February 5, is among events cancelled recently.

"As a result of the outbreak, we have decided to cancel the event, as we are...