New Year．New World – Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations Usher in the New Year
Both sides of Victoria Harbour were packed with avid spectators on New Year's Eve, as Hong Kong welcomed the year 2014 with the biggest countdown pyrotechnic show the city has ever witnessed - the New Year．New World - Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations.
Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board ("HKTB") and title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group"), the event was launched by CY Leung ,Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR") and Mrs Leung, Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR, Dr Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, and representatives from the title-sponsor, Dr Henry Cheng, Chairman and Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited and Adrian Cheng, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited.
Once again using the iconic Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre ("HKCEC") as the focal point, the massive countdown show was the biggest in the event's history and action packed.
Starting from 11pm on New Year's Eve, colourful pyrotechnics - "shooting stars" - were launched from seven buildings in Wan Chai and Admiralty every 15 minutes, symbolising good career prospects, good health, good fortune and good luck in love.
To heighten the anticipation, the LED screen atop K11 Art Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui displayed a 60-second countdown at 11:59pm, while the LED screen next to the HKCEC displayed a numeral countdown in the final 10 seconds of 2013.
As soon as the clock struck midnight, an eight-minute pyrotechnic musical began, enveloping Victoria Harbour. Pyrotechnics were launched from seven buildings near the HKCEC, while the numerals "2014" flickered on the LED screen next to the waterfront landmark.
Pyrotechnics were also launched horizontally, from the harbourfront in Tsim Sha Tsui to the other side of the harbour in six layers, creating a magical "pyrotechnic bridge". Spectators could fully take in the show's powerful impact, as pyrotechnics were launched just 150 metres away from the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront.
For the first time, fireworks were used in the event, with heart- and smiley-shaped fireworks interspersed among the pyrotechnics.
To share the amazing pyrotechnic musical with the world and generate publicity for Hong Kong, the HKTB provided live satellite feed of the show to major international TV news stations.
Members of the public who took photos and videos of the show can share the beautiful moments they captured by entering the New Year．New World - Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations Photo and Short Film Competition, organised by New World Group.
About New World Development Company Limited
New World Development Company Limited (“The Group”; Stock Code: 17.HK) is a leading conglomerate based in Hong Kong. The Group was founded in 1970 and publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972. It is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index with a total asset value of HK$332.2 billion as at 30 June 2013.
For more than four decades, the Group has expanded from a single focus on the property business to four core areas: property, infrastructure & service, department store and hotel. As at 30 June 2013, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61.1% in NWS Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 659.HK), approximately 69.8% in New World China Land Limited (Stock Code: 917.HK) and approximately 72.3% in New World Department Store China Limited (Stock Code: 825.HK).