A commercial produced by Taiwan’s tourism authorities was broadcasted on a huge electronic screen in New York’s Times Square as around 1 million people waited hours to observe the famous ball drop in the countdown to the New Year of 2013.  Both Ambassador Andrew Kao and Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau Thomas Chang all attended the New Year’s Eve count down.

In order to promote Taiwan, Taiwan Tourism Bureau entrusted Thomson Reuters to run an advertising campaign at Times Square from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. It was the third time Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau had sponsored the commercial in the year-end celebration in Times Square.

The illuminated, crystal-covered ball is some 3 meters in diameter and weighs nearly more than 5,000 kilograms. It is expected to drop 20 meters in 60 seconds. As part of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, more than one ton of confetti is to be released from the rooftops of surrounding buildings.

The annual Times Square countdown featured host Ryan Seacrest and a lineup of star musical guests that included Taylor Swift, Psy, MC Hammer and more.

‘)}