Hong Kong chief delivers Chinese New Year greetings via animated cartoons

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang sent greetings to the people via animated cartoons for the first time on Saturday, one day ahead of the Chinese New Year.

In the released message, animated cartoon figures including Donald Tsang and local grown cartoon star McDull hurries back home amid festive atmosphere.

"So happy to be home," it says.

Tsang and his wife Selina wished the people in Hong Kong a harmonious family and good health in the Chinese New Year of the tiger, which starts on Sunday.

"The Chinese New Year holiday is the sweetest moment for me. In this festive season, we can stay at home and offer best wishes to one another," Tsang said.

Tsang and his wife also visited a market for consumer goods, where they spent 888 HK dollars (113.8 U.S. dollars) to buy flowers and stuffed dolls.

Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, is typically a time for family members to get together. Statistics released by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR government showed 310,075 people left Hong Kong by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, while 132,199 arrived.

The Immigration Department has earlier said it expected as many as 8.95 million arrivals and departures, with the peak of people leaving Hong Kong on Feb. 12 and that of arrival on Feb. 16.

Source:Xinhua