New Year blessing: Chief Executive Donald Tsang and his wife Selina wish Hong Kong people good health in the Year of the Rat.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang wishes Hong Kong people good health, family harmony and many blessings in the Year of the Rat.

Delivering his Lunar New Year message today Mr Tsang said the holiday is the most important festival to Chinese people with every family decorating their home.

"When I was a small boy my family started preparations for the Lunar New Year early - my father painted the walls, my mother made the New Year treats of fried sesame balls and crispy triangles, and we six brothers and sister, while stealing big mouthfuls of treats, would help to put up red couplets and buy peach blossoms for decoration. I would also shoulder heavy duties like floor and window cleaning."

Mr Tsang said as our society advances and people become better off the New Year decorative items on sale in the market are getting more and more exquisite and sophisticated.

"But such things are only secondary. Whether the celebrations are lavish or humble, the most important thing is members of the family, young and old, can get together happily to share their stories."