Taiwan pop diva A-mei to count down with Taipei on New Year's Eve

Taipei, Nov. 30 (CNA) Taiwan pop diva A-mei (張惠妹) will help Taipei count down the final seconds of 2018 at this year's Taipei New Year's Eve (NYE) Countdown Party, the city's Department of Information and Tourism (DOIT) said in a statement Friday.

Taiwan Hip Hop trio MJ116 and South Korean girl group EXID are also scheduled to perform at the event, which has been an annual celebration hosted by the city since 1995 on the last day of every year.

The performances will be accompanied by the traditional Taipei 101 fireworks when the clock strikes midnight and a light show using a T-Pad LED lighting system on the building's north side measuring 100.8 by 168 meters.

CNA file photo

Last year's LED light show featured images of A-mei.

The event is to be hosted by actress Heaven Hai (海裕芬), entertainer Blackie Chen (陳建州) and celebrity Tien Hsin (天心).

DOIT head Chen Su-yu (陳思宇) said the celebrations, which will kick off at 7 p.m. Dec. 31, will also incorporate esports to promote Taipei internationally.

The combination of performances and esports is aimed at boosting the tourism industry and increase the number of people visiting Taipei, she said.