Hong Kong will bid farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018 with an unprecedented 10-minute multimedia extravaganza on 31 December 2017 at 24:00 Hong Kong time (03:00 Sydney time). 18 December 2017: Hong Kong will bid farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018 with an unprecedented 10-minute multimedia extravaganza on 31 December 2017 at 24:00 Hong Kong time (03:00 Sydney time). 

Hosted by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in conjunction with the China National Travel Service Group Corporation (CTS), the CTS Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations 2018 will be the finale of a series of HKTB held events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The display will feature a rainbow of pyrotechnics and fireworks cascading from various heights around Victoria Harbour. 

What you need to know: 
• The CTS Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations 2018 will be held on New Year's Eve, 31 December 2017 at 24:00 Hong Kong time (03:00 Sydney time)  
• Two key highlights of this year's countdown celebrations include a musical fireworks display over Victoria Harbour and performing arts displays that will take place at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier
• This will be the first time these fireworks have been used and will create a breathtaking visual effect which will see Hong Kong's skyline illuminated by “Magical Star Dust” to signify blessings to the city 
• Melbourne-based, world-renowned performing arts company, “Strange Fruit” will compliment the display by performing unique, large-scale visual spectacles that fuse theatre, dance and circus techniques using their unique, trademark sway-pole apparatus

Images, video and live satellite feed: 
• Images and animation video can be downloaded from ftp://NYCD2017-b:445566@ftpsvr01.hktb.com from 1 January 2018 03:00 (Hong Kong time) (31 December 2017 GMT 19:00)
• Live satellite feed available:   
o Signal testing time: 31 Dec 2017, 20:00-20:15 Hong Kong time (GMT12:00-12:15)
o Show time: 31 Dec 2017, 23:55-24:10 Hong Kong time (GMT15:55-16:10)
o Signal enquiry: Ms Vanessa So/Mr Cameron Tong - (852) 6533 3400/(852) 6574 3788
o See end of release and images for further details
• Pre-event interviews available with HKTB regional director Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Andrew Clark (contact Natalie Brown, details below, to arrange) 

HKTB chairman Dr Peter Lam said Hong Kong's New Years Eve celebrations are admired globally and this year's performance is set take it to a new level. 

“Over the years, Hong Kong's New Year Countdown Celebrations have become one of the most anticipated countdown events across Asia and received impressive coverage from media worldwide,” Mr Lam said.  

“This year, the musical fireworks event will be expanded in scale, exhibiting more gradation and complexity. New effects and patterns will also be displayed with the involvement of an award-winning fireworks maker. 

“We are also pleased to bring to the event the Australian performing arts group “Strange Fruit” for the first time and their performance for the event will be a global debut.” 

China National Travel Service Group Corporation (China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited) director and chief executive officer Ms Jiang Yan said this year's celebrations mark an important milestone for Hong Kong and that local and visitors commemorate the occasion together. 

“2018 will be particularly significant to the CTS. Firstly, after returning to our country for 20 years, Hong Kong has entered into a new era, growing with our country hand-in-hand,” Ms Yan said.  

“Also, since its establishment in 1928, CTS has become one of the largest travel conglomerates in China. We are determined to become a world-class enterprise, as we approach our centenary anniversary. 

“With our mission to serve the community and bring enjoyment, we are very honoured to join hands with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, our long-standing working partner, to bring the largest-ever musical fireworks to visitors and Hong Kong people.”

For more information about the CTS Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations 2018 visit www.discoverhongkong.com/countdown. 

ENDS

Mock-up images/video available from: ftp://NYCD2017-b:445566@ftpsvr01.hktb.com 
See images for satellite live feed details or contact Natalie Brown.  

Notes to editors: 
The musical fireworks this year will be presented in an unprecedented scale, spanning across a 35% wider display area and incorporating a fascinating collection of pyrotechnic, fireworks, sound and lighting effects. Palettes of pyrotechnics and fireworks will be launched from barges at the Victoria Harbour, and rooftops of buildings on the Hong Kong Island. Launched at various elevations above the sea level, the stunning fireworks display will dazzle the skyline with vibrant colours. 

Hong Kong's skyline will also be illuminated with magical star dust for the first time. The scene is inspired by dancing fairies scattering magical star dust over the iconic Victoria Harbour, signifying New Year's blessings to the city. Fireworks and pyrotechnics will be in sync with a soundtrack composed and produced by renowned music director Mr Chiu Tsang Hei. 

The HKTB will also present a performance by the Australian performing arts group “Strange Fruit” from 22:00 Hong Kong time at the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier (near Star House). The award-winning group have made appearances at various events worldwide and they will greet Hong Kong with a global debut of their brand-new performance “Deco-Sphere”. Performers will sway and dance with elegance on gigantic orbs of a two metre diameter on five metre poles, delivering a fusion of theatre, dance and circus techniques. 

The audience will get the chance to “make a wish” upon the pyrotechnic “shooting stars” presented in four different colours, which symbolise love, health, happiness and wealth respectively. The sparkling stars will be launched every 15 minutes from 23:00 from the rooftops of five participating buildings on Hong Kong Island: CITIC Tower, Harbour Centre, Harcourt House, Queensway Government Offices and Revenue Tower.
Best Vantage Points: the CTS Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations can be viewed from a number of spots across Hong Kong and Kowloon. The best vantage points in Tsim Sha Tsui are the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Open Piazza. The best vantage points on Hong Kong side are the Central Harbourfront, Central Piers nine and 10 and Bauhinia Square in Wanchai.

For more information contact the Hong Kong Tourism press office:
Natalie Brown - natalie.brown@hktb.com / 02 8262 6810 / 0422 565 001