The Marine Department will close the centre of Victoria Harbour December 5 to facilitate the 5th East Asian Games opening ceremony.

It will be held at the Cultural Centre Piazza with Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, during which a boat parade representing the nine participating countries and regions, cultural performances and a spectacular fireworks display will be held.

The area for fireworks barges will be closed 2pm to 11pm, and the area for the boat parade, cultural performances and fireworks display will be closed 7pm to 10.15pm. A notice on the measures was gazetted today.

The areas are to be closed to all vessels other than those directly involved in the ceremony and any with department permission. The department and Marine Police will regulate traffic at the scene.