Bangkok--9 Jan--Francom Asia Hong Kong celebrated the arrival of 2008 with a spectacular New Year’s Eve countdown set against one of the world’s most famous backdrops, Victoria harbour. Festive lights put the waterfront buildings in holiday mood, adding to the vibrant colour and excitement of the evening. The countdown was the first such event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). One of Hong Kong’s newest landmarks, Two International Finance Centre (Two ifc), became the focus of the dazzling extravaganza of lights and pyrotechnics. The launch ceremony of “A Symphony of Lights — New Year Countdown”, held at the Marine Deck of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, was officiated by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Hon Donald Tsang, GBM, JP, and his wife. Mr and Mrs Tsang were joined by HKTB Chairman The Hon James Tien, GBS, JP; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Guo Li; Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, The Hon Frederick Ma, JP; and representatives from the two major sponsors for the event — Mr Walter Kwok Ping-sheung, Chairman & Chief Executive, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, and Dr The Hon Lee Shau-kee, Chairman, Henderson Land Development Company Limited. The Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited and Henderson Land Development Company Limited have given generous support to tonight’s event by sponsoring in total HK$3 million. Chairman of the HKTB, The Hon James Tien, said that the event fully capitalised on Hong Kong’s best tourism resources and assets. “We have combined our world-renowned Victoria Harbour, the iconic building and ‘A Symphony of Lights’, the popular multi-media spectacular declared the world’s ‘Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’ by Guinness World Records. I am sure this is set to become a signature event for Hong Kong. In addition, we have taken full advantage of opportunities for global media coverage to showcase Hong Kong’s vitality and appeal, and to further enhance our image as an international city,” Mr Tien added. Mr Walter Kwok Ping-sheung, Chairman & Chief Executive, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited said that cosmopolitan cities like New York, London, Paris and Sydney usually have major countdown events on New Year’s Eve. “The special pyrotechnic displays on Hong Kong’s tallest building, Two ifc, will do more than welcome the new year in splendid style: they will also draw the eyes of the world towards Hong Kong and further enhance our status as an international city. This spectacular show has given us a splendid introduction to the exciting year ahead of Hong Kong and China in 2008. We can all feel proud of our country in this Olympic year. By working together, we can surely achieve outstanding success in the major international sporting event ahead,” he added. Dr The Hon Lee Shau-kee, Chairman of Henderson Land said, “We are honoured to support Hong Kong’s first territory-wide New Year’s Eve countdown event, allowing the public to enjoy a memorable evening stepping into 2008. May I wish Hong Kong a prosperous year to come!” The major countdown event started 20 minutes before midnight. The extravaganza began with a 13-minute multi-media show “A Symphony of Lights”, which was enhanced with roof-top pyrotechnic displays on buildings along both sides of the harbour. And just 20 seconds before the stroke of midnight, pyrotechnic displays started to rise from the bottom to the top of Hong Kong’s tallest building, Two ifc. The fa?ades of four major buildings in various parts of Hong Kong, namely Cheung Kong Center, AIG Tower, Hopewell Centre and Oterprise Square, joined Two ifc in the final countdown. Simultaneously, a fireboat began to perform a water-jet display — the first time a Hong Kong fireboat had taken part in a public event by night. After the clock struck midnight, special pyrotechnic effects created a pattern in the shape of “2008” on the fa?ade of Two ifc. The harbour was then lit up by a two-minute pyrotechnic spectacular created on a number of designated buildings. The show was accompanied by a new musical score specially composed for this event by renowned composer Mr Peter Kam. To generate maximum publicity, the HKTB has invited a number of local and international media to provide live or delayed broadcast of the event. Locally, the event was televised live on Television Broadcasts Limited’s (TVB) Jade Channel, while simultaneous transmission was available on the HKTB’s DiscoverHongKong.com website. In addition, Phoenix TV provided live coverage of the event, while other international media such as the Reuters, the Associated Press and Earth TV shared highlights of the programme with their audience around the world.