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Vice-President Zeng Qinghong today (September 12) officiated at the Grand Opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, ending his three-day visit to Hong Kong.
Before the midday ceremony, Mr Zeng toured the various attractions of the theme park.
He first arrived at Disney's Storybook Theatre where he was briefed by Financial Secretary Mr Henry Tang and Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director Mr Don Robinson on the background of Hong Kong Disneyland.
Accompanied by Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang, Mr Zeng then visited the Chinese food court Clopin's Festival of Foods, the Mad Hatter Tea Cups and the Fantasy Gardens, where they posed for photographs with Disney cartoon characters. The guests were shown the 4D film, "Mickey's PhilharMagic".
After the whirlwind tour, Mr Zeng was escorted to the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for the Grand Opening Ceremony.
Members of the Hong Kong Children's Choir performed for the guests and delivered welcome speeches in Putonghua, English and Cantonese. The VIPs were invited to dot the eyes of five ceremonial lions.
Flanked by Mickey and Minnie, the guests then performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a fireworks display.
Mr Zeng left the theme park shortly after midday and headed to Huanggang control point. The Chief Executive bid Mr Zeng farewell and presented him with a souvenir photograph album of his visit. It included shots of Mr Zeng taken earlier in the day at Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland is a strategic investment by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the tourism sector. The theme park is the fifth of its kind in the world.
Ends/Monday, September 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:43
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