Speech by CE at 2025 International Chinese New Year Night Parade (with photos/video)
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2025 International Chinese New Year Night Parade tonight (January 29):
(Cantonese)
各位嘉賓、各位市民：
今日是乙巳蛇年大年初一，我首先和大家拜年，祝各位新一年身體健康、萬事勝意！
我很高興今晚跟各位市民和來自海內外的旅客，一起歡聚在璀璨奪目的維多利亞港地標，參與一年一度由香港旅遊發展局舉辦的「新春國際匯演之夜」。
今年匯演的主題是「如意新春 喜樂連連」，由九架融入了節慶和香港地道元素的特色花車，連同來自香港、內地和世界各地的表演隊伍，一共55個表演團體組成。「新春國際匯演之夜」是香港在每年新春期間的首項盛事，展現香港作為盛事之都的澎湃活力，將新年的喜悅和祝福帶給現場每一位朋友，並透過電視和網上直播傳遞給全球觀眾。
去年，訪港旅客數字接近4 500萬，按年大升超過三成，香港市面更添熱鬧。新一年，香港會繼續好事連連、喜樂連連、祝福連連，譜寫更多香港好故事！
靈蛇獻瑞福滿城。蛇象徵堅韌機智、蛻變納新，寓意新一年香港萬象更新，靈活識變。我祝願香港在蛇年繁榮昌盛，百業興旺，大家幸福健康，生活美滿！ 我現在用普通話歡迎內地的朋友。
(Putonghua)
各位朋友，大家新年好！我代表香港特別行政區政府，歡迎各位在香港共慶春節，祝福大家蛇年吉祥、身體健康！
今年是國家申報的「春節——中國人慶祝傳統新年的社會實踐」，列入聯合國教科文組織「非遺代表作名錄」的第一個春節，為節慶活動更添姿彩。
香港是全球慶祝春節氣氛最濃厚的地方之一，今晚的匯演更是香港在蛇年的第一項盛事。今晚的主題是「如意新春 喜樂連連」，特色花車與來自香港、內地和世界各地的隊伍，將為大家呈獻華麗繽紛的匯演，向全世界展現香港這個盛事之都的無限活力！
香港全年「盛事連連」，新春慶祝活動精彩紛呈。今晚演出後，花車和匯演將轉到大埔林村許願廣場，讓大家向許願樹祈願的同時，更可以跟花車「打卡」。明天大年初二晚上，維港兩岸將上演煙花匯演，加上大年初三的新年賽馬日、大年初四的足球賀歲盃，以及全港各區不同特色的節慶活動，吃喝玩樂，應有盡有！我邀請大家新春假期在香港多留幾天，體驗春節在這個國際都會的「正確打開方式」，享受香港的獨特魅力和特色景點，「沉浸式」感受連連的喜樂和祝福。現在我用英語歡迎從外國來的朋友。
Let me now say a few words in English to welcome our friends from different parts of the world. Hello, Hong Kong! Hello, friends from different parts of the world!
Welcome to the annual Hong Kong International Chinese New Year Night Parade, on this, the first fabulous day of the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Snake.
There's no better way, anywhere on earth, to welcome in the New Year than by following - and revelling in - Hong Kong's magnificent Chinese New Year Night Parade.
This year's celebration is led by 55 performing groups and floats from 14 countries and regions. Here in the world city of Hong Kong, to dance, sing and perform, skip, juggle, cheerlead and otherwise amaze and delight you, on this most auspicious of days.
And the Night Parade is just the start of our New Year's festivities. Tomorrow night, a 23-minute fireworks display will light up our world-renowned Victoria Harbour. Our sky will be filled with auspicious symbols, as well as adorable pandas - showcasing Hong Kong's giant panda family, now counting six and readying for their first full public appearance at the same time in mid-February.
And, alongside the horses at Chinese New Year Raceday, in Sha Tin on January 31, you'll want to catch the lions - and lion dancers - on show, part of a fun-filled day at the track.
The Night Parade floats you see tonight, together with some of our performers, will find their way to Lam Tsuen, from tomorrow night, for the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival. This year, the floats are on display there until February 13.
Only in Hong Kong, the world's East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange - and day-and-night entertainment. All around town, you'll be greeted by the magnificent spectacle of our festivities, and the warm hospitality of the people of Hong Kong, as we share the joy of the New Year with all of you.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and eventful Year of the Snake. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Thank you and enjoy the evening.
(Cantonese/Putonghua)
再次歡迎大家，共同分享今晚的歡樂時刻。
Speech by CE at 2025 International Chinese New Year Night Parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at 2025 International Chinese New Year Night Parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at 2025 International Chinese New Year Night Parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
