Timothy Fok, president of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, carries the East Asian Games flag during the closing ceremony of the 4th East Asian Games in Macau yesterday. Hong Kong will host the next games in 2009.-Xinhua

Macau says goodbye to the 4th East Asian Games while Hong Kong is saying hello to the regional sports gathering.

Macau said a fond farewell to the East Asian Games in a moving closing ceremony at the Macau East Asian Games Dome Arena on Sunday night.

The Chief Executive of the Macau SAR Government, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, declared the 4th East Asian Games closed, and the flag and flame were handed over to the president of the Hong Kong National Olympic Committee, Timothy Fok, ready for the 2009 edition.

In his farewell address, the chairman of MEAGOC, Manuel Silverio, declared: "A new era for Macau and the region has begun!

"The successful organisation of the Games has affirmed our effort and highlighted Macau's autonomy and capability to the world. Thank you for this wonderful experience."

Silverio said the Games had presented Macau "with more opportunities and greater prospects, and, with renewed confidence, we are ready to meet more future challenges."

He added: "Following more than five years of dedicated work, our collective effort and your full participation have made this into a wonderful reality. Cherishing this great experience, we embrace the future with confidence and further commitment."

After the Chief Executive declared the Games closed, the big screen in the Arena showed the flame in the cauldron at Macau Stadium slowly fading away, and the audience was then surprised to see a young boy emerge from the stands on wires and sail down to the stage with the lantern.

After the athletes from the nine NOCs had left the arena, a three-part cultural performance entertained the guests and visitors alike.

Under the chapters "Lotus in Breeze", "Harmonious Wind of East Asia" and "A Date in the Near Future", it featured a colourful and theatrical interpretation of traditional songs from the nine competing countries and regions.

The words of Eddie Laam Wah Ying, president of the East Asian Games Association, said it all?K

"See you in 2009 at the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong!"