Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Taipei's annual New Year's Eve countdown party outside Taipei City Hall on Saturday fired up a massive crowd with a star-studded cast of singers and performers and the iconic Taipei 101 fireworks show that rang in 2023.
More than 16,000 fireworks were set off over five minutes and were accompanied by light displays on all four sides of the skyscraper to create various images, including peace pigeons, smiley faces and the tree of life, that conveyed the show's theme -- "looking after the world and shining dreams."
This year's fireworks, which cost NT$50 million (US$1.63 million), were the 19th edition of the New Year's Eve fireworks display organized by Taipei Financial Center Corporation, the operator of the 101-story skyscraper.
"Happy 2023 to Taipei," Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said prior to leading the countdown, adding that he hoped 2023 could see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and Taipei residents could again invite their international friends to the city.
Around 110,000 revelers gathered in the surrounding areas of Taipei City Hall at 12 a.m. for the fireworks, according to figures announced by Taipei City's Department of Information and Tourism.
After the fireworks took place, the party continued past midnight with electronic dance music and trap infused hits by Taichung-based hip hop trio Nine One One (玖壹壹).
The audience threw their hands in the air and bopped their heads as the bass drums and kicks of the group's 2015 hit "9453" took over.
Another high point was earlier in the night when Korean singer and K-Pop star Hyolyn, nicknamed "Korea's Beyoncé," electrified the crowd with her energetic vocals and immaculate heels technique.
Other performers included singer-songwriter Rene Liu (劉若英), Indigenous singer Abao (阿爆), jazz and R&B singer 9m88, and five-piece metal band Flesh Juicer (血肉果汁機).
