Hong Kong celebrates Year of the Horse with fireworks show

HONG KONG, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- A 23-minute fireworks show lit up Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor on Wednesday, the second day of the Year of the Horse and of the Spring Festival holiday here.

At 8 p.m., the show opened with high-density fireworks mimicking charging horses and cascading shells evoking a thundering herd. Bursts shaped like the Arabic numeral "eight" and gold ingots symbolizing wealth and prosperity followed, prompting cheers from spectators at both sides of the harbor.

The show culminated in the final act "Triumphant Achievement" with large crown shells and dense barrages. In total, 31,888 shells were ignited throughout the eight acts of the fireworks display.

The fireworks' thundering sound will echo the spirit of the Year of the Horse, now in its second auspicious day, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said before the show started.

"Tonight, as that spirit of galloping forward fills the sky, we see why Hong Kong is where East meets West -- where ancient traditions and modern celebrations light up the night together," said Lee.

In anticipation of the bonanza, many residents and tourists secured spots near the harbor early in the evening for the best views.

"I hope Hong Kong's sci-tech development can skyrocket the way these fireworks did today," said a young entrepreneur surnamed Lau, watching the show at the Central Ferry Piers.