The Rolling Stones have canceled what would have been their first ever shows in China next week because of the atypical pneumonia fear in Southeast Asia, the group said.
Earlier this week the veteran rockers canceled two concerts scheduled for this weekend in Hong Kong, also as a result of the highly contagious pneumonia virus that has killed 54 people worldwide and infected around 1,500.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which scientists say is caused by a new virus strain, has forced the cancellation of holidays and business travel to many parts of Asia, in a blow to the region's already sickly economies.
The Rolling Stones were scheduled to play in Shanghai on April 1 and Beijing on April 4. Fans were flying in from all over the world to see the band's historic China concerts.
"We are very sad and disappointed not to be able to do these concerts," Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger said in a statement. "We have been looking forward to the shows in China for so long and will reschedule them as soon as possible."
The statement cited travel warnings issued by both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as well as continued concerns expressed by local Chinese government officials, communities and individuals over large public gatherings.
The Stones have shuffled the dates of the remaining cities on the Asian leg of their "Licks" world tour. They will play the Indian cities of Bangalore on April 4 and Mumbai on April 7, both a week earlier than originally scheduled; and Bangkok on April 10, two days later than planned.
(Beijing Weekend March 31, 2003)
