Visitors, residents gear up for Taipei 101 fireworks, performances

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) Tourists and local residents gathered near the Taipei 101 skyscraper Tuesday, hours before a fireworks show to ring in the New Year was scheduled to take place, with performances by pop singers set to continue past midnight in front of the Taipei City Hall.

Anne, from the Philippines, said she is visiting Taipei for the new year and plans to watch the Taipei 101 fireworks show.

A VR surgeon currently working in Hong Kong, Anne said her New Year's resolution is to work harder and fulfill her career goals.

Alfredo Arellano Jr., a Filipino factory worker, said it is his first New Year's Eve in Taiwan and he is excited to experience the fireworks show at Taipei 101.

His New Year's resolution is to make more money for his future and that of his family.

Suchira Rachakrom, from Thailand, is also in Taipei to celebrate the New Year, saying that the fireworks show at Taipei 101 is a main attraction.

She added that she has heard the theme of the fireworks show was a celebration of Taiwan winning the WBSC Premier12 championship in Tokyo on Nov. 24 and hoped to "celebrate with everyone in Taiwan."

According to a video released by Taipei Financial Center Corp., which owns and operates Taipei 101, this year's fireworks show will begin at midnight and last for six minutes, about one minute longer than previous shows.

In addition, a light sculpture show created by Canadian-American artist Bernard Chang and featuring the likenesses of eight notable Taiwanese athletes who competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and the WBSC Premier12 event will be presented from 10-11 p.m.

At the plaza in front of the Taipei City Hall, a New Year's Eve countdown party is being held featuring renowned K-pop group Apink and several Golden Melody Award winners, such as Penny Tai (戴佩妮), Faith Yang (楊乃文), and YELLOW (黃宣).

Music performances in front of the city hall are scheduled to end at 1 a.m. on Wednesday.