Australia's 2018 New Year's Eve celebrations will once again feature a spectacular fireworks display with fireworks from China, launching from sites around the Sydney foreshore and centering on the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Organizers announced at a press conference on Tuesday that this year's theme will be "the Pulse of Sydney," and feature Australian motifs.
The display is made possible by the use of over 8.5 tonnes of fireworks, enthusiastically sourced by festival organizers directly from China.
"As we all know, 90 percent of the world's fireworks come out of China," Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti said.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during the 9 p.m. display on New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2017. /VCG Photo
"We work closely with factories over there, to produce the fireworks that you see on Sydney Harbour every year."
Foti says that 2018's celebration will be bigger and better than ever, with firework effects never before seen.
"Our 'Pulse of Sydney' theme has inspired new fireworks effects - for the first time we've created pulsating fireworks that you'll see in dramatic new star shapes," Foti said.
"We're also introducing wave effect fireworks, where the color moves across the display rather than the traditional explosion from the center of the firework."
Organizers plan on limiting the environmental effects of the fireworks by measuring and offsetting their impact - additionally, all the fireworks will be manufactured from biodegradable paper and compounds that dissipate after use.
(Top image: Fireworks explode near the Sydney Opera House as part of new year celebrations on Sydney Harbour, Australia, December 31, 2017. /VCG Photo)