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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the 2014 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui tonight (January 31):
Dear Friends,
Good evening. Happy New Year and Kung Hei Fat Choy!
It's a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to the International Chinese New Year Night Parade. Congratulations to the Hong Kong Tourism Board on organising this highlight event of the year.
The Chinese New Year is the most important annual festival for Hong Kong and for Chinese communities around the world. It is a time for family and friends to join together to share the joy that a new year brings.
I am particularly excited to join you this year in ushering in the Year of the Horse. No doubt, the Night Parade, with its international cultural performances and festively decorated floats, will reflect our city's confidence and optimism for the year ahead. I hope that our friends from around the world will enjoy the unique atmosphere at this time of the year and explore the many cultural delights that Hong Kong has to offer as Asia's world city.
I wish you all a memorable evening at the Night Parade. Please share your photos and experiences with your friends and families back home so that they, too, can enjoy the spirit of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year of the Horse. Thank you very much. Have a great evening.
Ends/Friday, January 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:06
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