HK's annual CNY parade attracts over 150,000 spectators

Figures from the Hong Kong Tourism Board's annual Chinese New Year parade have been released. The board and various media sources recorded an attendance of around 155,000 spectators from both Hong Kong and from around the world. The 2019 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade was staged on 5 February in Tsim Sha Tsui with the theme of ‘Best Fortune. World Party'. It featured nine festive floats and a mix (13 Mainland and international, 12 local) of performing groups. The groups started their journeys at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, advancing along Canton Road, Haiphong Road, Nathan Road before ending the parade in front of the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Chief executive Carrie Lam said in her opening ceremony remarks that the Hong Kong government would work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the tourism industry in general to promote Hong Kong's diversified travel experiences. She also gave mention to the recently opened High-Speed Rail connection and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge as ways to help Hong Kong further connect to Mainland China, Lam said tourists can use these two latest infrastructure improvements to come to Hong Kong and experience the city. 18 performing groups started along the route at 6pm, giving out gifts and interacting with spectators before the show. Kicking off the parade was Cathay Pacific's troupe as its cabin crew and ground staff offered energetic performances. The staff also handed out red lai see packets to the crowd. Other highlights included a Hungarian basketball team in attendance and the antics of an award-winning Austrian acrobatic team. As part of the celebration, a public display of the floats will take place from 6 to 19 February in Tai Po Lam Tsuen.