Performers dance during the River Hongbao 2014 Opening Night & Light-up Ceremony. [Photo by Chen Haining]

Singapore, 29 January 2014 - The River Hongbao 2014 Opening Night & Light-up Ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this evening at The Float@Marina Bay. Witnessed by more than 1,000 guests from Singapore and overseas, the ceremony marked the beginning of the annual fun-filled extravaganza of lights, sights and sounds, and was accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.

For 28 consecutive years, this iconic event has remained an integral part of Singapore’s Lunar New Year celebrations as River Hongbao presents a truly unique Chinese cultural experience for Singaporeans and tourists. Building on the success of the past year, River Hongbao 2014 will usher in the Year of the Horse and celebrate the arrival of spring, with celebrations extended over 11 days, until Feb 8.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Lee was invited onstage to activate the launch mechanism by pulling a large bow and arrow. An LED arrow was then projected onto the screen and official opening of River Hongbao 2014 was announced, with a total of 28 lanterns on a floating platform being lit up simultaneously.

Ten children from Bukit Gombak PCF Center also presented a pair of mandarin oranges each to the prime minister and Mrs Lee. The prime minister then toured large-than-life lantern installations that showcased traditional auspicious elements, including the Chinese royal court, Blooms of Prosperity Moon Gate Lantern, the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, a two-tier revolving lantern featuring Chinese festivities and locally adapted themes to reflect Singapore’s unique culture.

The centerpiece of this year’s lantern highlights is the 18 meter tall God of Fortune lantern, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity. For the first time, the God of Fortune also showered Lee and all guests who were present with golden flakes containing auspicious numbers, in the hope that it would bring good luck and joy to Singapore.

The Wishing Well is another key highlight of the lantern installations, and the prime minister and his wife distributed goodie bags to 20 senior citizens from the Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, to wish them good health in the New Year.

Other highlights for the evening including a wide array of performances specially selected from a mix of local and overseas performers. These included the Zingo Festival Drum Group, The Children Performance Troupe from Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, Taipei University of Arts (Taipei Ballet Troupe) and Yunnan Opera Theatre.

"The celebration of Chinese New Year in the tropical metropolis of Singapore is a very unique cultural experience,” said Low Yen Ling, chairwoman of the River Hongbao 2014 Organizing Committee, and parliamentary secretary for Social and Family Development.

"The River Hongbao lantern displays strive to blend traditional Chinese elements with local Singaporean symbols to create themes that reflect the integration of cultures and the fact that this event is not just celebrated by Chinese. The festival joy is also being shared and celebrated by all Singaporeans alike.”

Visitors also will be treated to a line-up of programs featuring different themes throughout the 11-day event.

Hu Yongqi contributed to this story.