International Fireworks Contest Unveiled in Macao

MACAO, Sept. 5, The 21st Macao International Fireworks Display Contest started here on Saturday, where teams from Asia and Europe lighted up the sky with their splendid and creative fireworks.

Fireworks displayed by teams from Spain and South Korea kicked off the five-day contest Saturday evening. The contest will take place on Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 1 at the sea area across the Macao Tower. A total of 10 teams from Spain, South Korea, the Chinese mainland, China's Taiwan, France, Italy, the Philippines, Japan, Portugal and Austria will participate in the event.

The organizer, Tourist Office of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, will attribute 20,000 U.S. dollars to each fireworks team as a subsidy, and the winner will receive 8,000 dollars. First and second runners-up will also get some 4,000 dollars and 2,500 dollars respectively.

To further enhance the event, the Tourist Office and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macao join hands again to present the Fireworks Carnival 2009 on the shorefront beside the Macao Tower.