Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will continue to give unlimited support to tourism, consolidating Hong Kong's status as the first destination for Chinese mainland and overseas tourists, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Sunday.

Speaking at the 2006 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade at Tamar Site, Tsang said visitor arrivals in Hong Kong reached 23 million in 2005, up 7.5 percent over a year earlier, the best annual total on record.

The government will continue its close cooperation with all sectors, upgrading Hong Hong's service level and strengthening its ability as an Asian world city, Tsang added.

The Parade, organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is the first major event in a fun-filled series of high-profile promotions for "2006 Discover Hong Kong Year".

"With all its color and action, the Parade showcases what Hong Kong is offering to our visitors – a dazzling, energetic and entertaining tourism destination," Tsang said.

Altogether nine elaborately decorated floats and 15 overseas and 16 local performing troupes took part in the procession.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2006)