Wave riders: Secretary for Home Affairs Tang Tak-sing inspects the floats for the East Asian Games opening ceremony parade.

Nine vessels joining a parade as part of the East Asian Games opening ceremony on December 5 arrived in Hong Kong today.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tang Tak-sing this afternoon inspected a vessel to be used as the floating stage for the ceremony, which is moored at the Cultural Centre.

He also went to the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to inspect the nine floats designed to show the characteristics of the nine countries and regions participating in the games.

Expressing appreciation of the design, Mr Tsang said he is confident the boat parade will add glamour to the games opening.

Beijing Beiao Grand Cultural & Sports Events decorated the vessels.The nine countries and regions are China, North Korea, Hong Kong China, Japan, Korea, Macau China, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Guam.

The opening ceremony will be held on the night of December 5 in Victoria Harbour from 8pm. Besides the vessel parade, it will also feature a cultural performance and special light effects as well as a fireworks display.