TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- (Marketwire) -- 01/02/13 -- The 2013 firework show of the TAIPEI 101 kicked off while the crowd of more than 850,000 people finished the countdown for the final five seconds for 2012. French Groupe F, the professional firework designer, was commissioned for the ninth annual firework show for the tower this year. French designers took advantage of the firework itself to spell "2013," which inspired and surprised the crowd before the big show, instead of the lighting effects as what was used in the past.

Groupe F designers said that "firebird" was the main theme for this year's firework show, while "swing for the future" has been the slogan for this year's show. Red and blue displays, along with fast-beat and inspiring music during the first set told the crowd that 2012 has been long gone whether it was joyful or sad. The second set of firework of red, blue, green, purple and gold rumbled ups and downs with the soft and slow music, to picture the image of a dancer's moves with the light and the music in the sky. The third set of the show was bold and brilliant, that all the sparklers were launched directly to the sky to reflect the image of future prosperity. The last set of the show displayed various layers of the firework to project a blooming 2013.

In addition to the French design of the firework, the sparklers themselves were also specially designed that its lighting can be easily seen in the sky while potential interruptions of smokes were minimized. Also, the entire event was positioned by GPS system to make it a pinpoint accurate firework show for all to see. The state-of-the-art design also made the 2013 TAIPEI 101's "swing for the future" annual firework a see-it-and-you-won't-forget-it show, a truly remarkable fire dance show you will not see anywhere else.

For protecting the planet Earth, the total carbon dioxide emissions for this year's event was estimated to be 4,500kg, which was only 30 percent of the annual event in the past.

Sponsored by Taiwan's Tourism Bureau, logos of "2013 Time for Taiwan," "Taiwan-The heart of Asia," "Time for Celebration," and "Taiwan Tourism Events" began to be shown on the top of the tower approximately one minute after the major firework show was launched. While the CNN described the tower as one of the most must-go attractions for the New Year, these promotion logos were also seen by the world along with the show.

Meanwhile, TAIPEI 101 organized a competition of blessing messages for New Year. More than 1,000 messages have flooded the mail box within two days, while more than 100,000 Internet surfers have logged on the website for details and voted for their favorite messages. The top six most popular messages were projected on the top of the building repeatedly between 5pm and 11pm on Dec. 31.

"Love, wealthy, and happy" is the winner for this year by Su-chi, followed by Chen Shu-ling's "I love you" in sign language, Liao Chi-hung's "Taiwan's peaceful and happy family," Chien Ching-cheng's "2013 Happy Taiwan," Sigo Lin's "A marvelous Taiwan because of you," and Ling Ling's "Love you with all my heart, Taiwan Go Go Go." For more information, please visit www.taipei-101.com.tw.

About TAIPEI 101
TAIPEI 101 is a landmark located in Xing-Yi District which held the record of world's tallest building between 2004 and 2010. The skyscraper is composed of two parts: a 6-storey shopping mall and a 101-storey main building. It's definitely the best way for tourists to experience Taipei city in different aspects by taking the world fastest elevators to the Observatory at 89th floor, or reserve a table in an observatory restaurant, enjoy your dinner with cloud outside. After the wonderful meal, you may walk down to TAIPEI 101 Mall, the first international top brand shopping mall in Taiwan, enjoy shopping at designer flagship stores. Are you ready to meet TAIPEI 101? Plan your journey right now!

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2191605