One Step Closer to Shanghai

[Sarangel]

From Channel News Asia:

Shanghai ready to build US$3.75b Disney theme park
Posted: 11 August 2006 0113 hrs

SHANGHAI : Shanghai has begun to prepare for a US$3.75 billion Disney theme park, an official said, signalling the city is confident it can win the central government's approval for the complex.

"Everything is in the stages of early preparation," said an official with the city's planning and construction department surnamed Tang.

"We are awaiting for the approval from the State Council (cabinet)."

Asked to confirm media reports that the project was expected to cost 30 billion yuan (US$3.75 billion), Tang replied: "Yes."

Tang refused to provided more details but media reports have said authorities had identified a 14.25-square-kilometre site that was four times the size of the Disneyland opened last year in Hong Kong.

Officials have a detailed plan that includes the construction of a subway line, expressways and a link to Pudong international airport, the China Daily said.

It also said that the government had begun relocating residents in the area, a claim which city officials vigorously denied.

"The relocation report is nonsense," said Ma Xuejie, vice director of the press office with the Pudong government.

In March, the mayor of the city of 17 million people acknowledged for the first time it was seeking to build a Disney park.

Hong Kong and mainland media have repeatedly reported that Shanghai hoped to start construction of the theme park in 2008 but Disney has insisted that any potential deal would not come before 2010.

Disney was not immediately available for comment on Thursday

 

[MJMcBride]

But hasn't Hong Kong been a disappointment? and won't that effect further park plans especially in Asia?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Why not open in China? It is official and common knowledge amongst investors that the Chinese government will allow ANY investor to open their business AND give them land (free of charge) and a 10-year tax break with a guarantee of no labour dispute ever.

It's cheap to built, population of 1 billion. Makes sense to me.