Red-hot welcome: East Asian Games ambassador Alan Tam, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing and 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited Chief Executive Officer Johnny Woo officiate at the Citywide Welcome for the East Asian Games activity.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing has called on spectators to wear red or bring red accessories to the 2009 East Asian Games opening to bring luck and joy to the event.

With the games only five days away, Mr Tsang said today the city is ready to make the opening ceremony a big welcoming party.

The ceremony will start 8pm December 5 and feature a vessel parade on Victoria Harbour, a cultural performance and a fireworks spectacular. After the ceremony, the adorned vessels representing the nine participating countries and regions will be moored off the Wan Chai waterfront for photos.

Major shopping malls across Hong Kong will hold variety shows on the night and feature live coverage of the ceremony on giant video screens.

Red handkerchiefs printed with games slogan "Go! Go! EAG!" will be distributed at shopping malls and the West Kowloon Promenade.