20/1/2009: Disney Heads East

Han Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai, announced the agreement between Disney and China to build a theme park on the China mainland at a news conference, but confirmed that the plan still required state council approval.   China Daily reported that authorities planned to extend a high-speed rail line to the $3.5 billion park.  Zheng said, ‘The project is expected to connect the city's two airports and will serve not only Shanghai, but also the whole Yangtze River Delta region and the country.’

 The agreement was believed to be similar to one negotiated between Disney and authorities in Hong Kong in which Disney owned 43% of the park and local government owned 57%. [ADD]

(Sources: Variety, Thomson financial News)

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2009

China: 2009