The Games open in Hong Kong on December 5.

Among the mainland torchbearers is gymnastics gold medalist Li Xiaopeng.

Athletes will pass the torch to singers including Eason Chan Yik-Shun, Joey Yung Jo-yee, Alan Tam Wing-lun and Hacken Lee Hak-ken.

A total of 65 torchbearers will take part in the 10-kilometer relay, which will start at Kowloon Park at 3pm.

The runners will cross the harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui and run from Central to Wan Chai, then back to Kowloon before ending at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O for a show to mark the beginning of the countdown.

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Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai said the scale of the East Asian Games torch relay cannot be compared with the Olympics torch relay last year.

"We chose Saturday, which is a holiday, and we have selected busy roads to draw more spectators," she said.

About 400,000 students from 50 schools will continue the torch relay between September and November.

The schools will be provided with torches which they can keep for use in events like sports days to let the young experience the spirit of the event.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, who was joined at the ceremony by Hong Kong Olympic Committee president Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, said preparations have entered the final stages and are going smoothly.

"The government has contributed HK$123 million.

"We have also received HK$105 million in donations and HK$48 million from selling Games products," he said.

The Games, which were last held in Macau, are expected to attract 200,000 spectators from around the world and give a welcome boost to tourism coffers.

They feature 22 sports, 16 of them Olympic, a record in Games history. About 14,000 people applied as volunteers and 5,000 have been selected.

Accommodation has been arranged in 11 hotels for the 3,000 athletes who will compete for 262 medals.

Tickets go on sale on August 31.