It sounds like a mission impossible. Two tonnes of explosives, one of the territory's biggest ever firework shows ready to go - and not a single match.
But for the Lunar New Year Fireworks spectacular, welcoming the Year of the Ox with the tune Mission: Impossible , there is much more to be done than 'light the blue touch paper and stand well back'.
An island of five barges make up a mini-Cape Canaveral, loaded with computer-wired mega fireworks and hi-tech laser equipment promises inter-galactic battles over Victoria Harbour on Saturday.
Pyrotechnicians from eight countries boarded the barges yesterday to check equipment and wire individual fireworks ready for the big bang.
Each explosive is linked by cable to a control room where fireworks experts press a key for lift-off.
Jim Souza - a fourth-generation pyrotechnician from California - has done shows in 26 countries, from Somalia to the Olympic Games in Atlanta, but Hong Kong is his favourite destination.