This photo shows the golden gong from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) being showcased in Hong Kong, China. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

　　The IPO boom is breathing new life into Hong Kong's capital market, not only helping companies tap international opportunities, but also accelerating Hong Kong's economic evolution.

　　HONG KONG, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Amid the frenzy of Hong Kong's IPO market, the golden gong from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) was recently showcased across Hong Kong during a two-week public parade.

　　The gong made appearances near the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui, beneath the ferris wheel in Central, at Golden Bauhinia Square, and other places.

　　Since December 2011, each time a new company is listed in Hong Kong, its representatives ring the gong in the HKEX, adding flair to the listing ritual.

　　The gong ceremony has since become one of the HKEX's most iconic traditions.

　　Crafted by artisans, the gong comes in two main versions. The fortune gong, standing 273 cm tall and weighing 269 kg, and the standard gong, which measures 192 cm in height and weighs 64 kg.

　　Bonnie Chan, chief executive officer of the HKEX, said that whenever people think of a Hong Kong IPO, they think of the gong. The gong holds extraordinary symbolic meaning for Hong Kong as an international financial center.

　　As of June 30, Hong Kong's IPOs had raised over 105 billion HK dollars (about 13.39 billion U.S. dollars) this year, ranking first among global capital markets.

　　In May, the IPO of Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology in Hong Kong set a new fundraising record for recent years, with the fortune gong ringing.