Chief Secretary lights up giant Brand Hong Kong dragon
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, tonight (July 2) 'brought to life' a giant Brand Hong Kong dragon that will light up the night sky.
The 26-metre long by 15-metre high neon sign has been built atop the Queensway Government Offices in Admiralty by the Architectural Services Department to promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city.
The huge dragon, which uses almost 450 neon tubes, was switched on during a ceremony across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Mr Tsang used a specially-designed light sabre to direct a light beam at the dragon to switch it on in a brilliant flash of colour.
"This is our latest - and most visible - effort to keep the spirit of the Hong Kong dragon in the hearts and minds of residents and visitors," Mr Tsang told more than 100 guests who witnessed the event from the rooftop of the Ocean Terminal.
"From now on, whenever you see one of those trademark photos of our night-time skyline, the Brand Hong Kong dragon will be there, shining brightly."
Mr Tsang said the dragon had been used extensively locally and overseas to promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city.
"During my visits overseas on behalf of the SAR Government, people often comment on how much they like our Brand Hong Kong dragon," he said.
"The dragon's free flowing lines - which incorporate both the Chinese characters for 'Heung Gong' and the English letters H K - embody the free spirit of Hong Kong people.
"The Brand Hong Kong dragon represents our core values - progressiveness, freedom, stability, opportunity and quality.
"These underpin the uniqueness of our society and development as a sophisticated economy."
Mr Tsang thanked the Director of Architectural Services, Mr S H Pau and his colleagues for designing and overseeing the construction of the Brand Hong Kong neon dragon.
The sign will be lit each night between 8 o'clock and midnight.
Ends/Tuesday, July 2, 2002
Photo
1: Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donlad Tsang, is performing
the light up of the giant Brand Hong Kong neon sign atop the Queensway
Government Offices.
Photo
2 shows Brand Hong Kong neon sign atop the Queensway Government Offices.
The sign, which has been constructed as part of the programme to promote
Hong Kong as Asia's world city, will become an integral part of the territory's
famous skyline.
