New Year ‧ New World – Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations Welcome 2015 Amidst Music And Cheers
Hong Kong ushered in the New Year with huge crowds on both sides of Victoria Harbour watching 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.
The event was launched by the Hon C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and Mrs Leung; Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB; Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited; and Leonie Ki, Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) was again the centre of the countdown celebrations, with the LINE FRIENDS on a new LED screen on its façade interacting with the audience. Pyrotechnic shooting stars symbolising good wishes for career, health, wealth and love were launched from the rooftops of six skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island at 15-minute intervals starting at 11:00pm. Complemented by an artificial snow effect in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre area, the show featured special guest performer Joey Yung, with spectators singing along on both sides of the harbour to welcome the New Year.
The last 20 seconds of 2014 saw everyone counting down excitedly to the numerical display on the LED screen, and as the clock struck midnight, a pyrotechnic display was launched from the harbour and the rooftops of the participating buildings in rhythm with the show’s theme song, brightening up the sky above Victoria Harbour for eight minutes with dazzling pyrotechnics, fireworks and special lighting, including circular and rainbow-shaped pyrotechnic effects.
New World Development, title sponsor of the countdown event for the third straight year, again organised the New Year．New World – Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations Photo and Short Film Competition, with Open and Mobile categories, to encourage photography enthusiasts to capture memorable moments in the mega countdown celebrations. Please visit www.facebook.com/nwd.countdown for details.
New World Development Company Limited
Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited (“New World Group”, Stock Code: 17.HK) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A diversified holding company with a focus on property development, New World Group’s core business areas include property development, infrastructure and service, department stores and hotels. As at 30 June 2014, the total asset value of the Group amounted to HK$369.2billion.
As at 30 June 2014, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61.3% in NWS Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 659.HK), approximately 69.7% 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).