To clear the way for the construction of a Disney theme park the
government of a Shanghai township started relocating residents
yesterday, according to sources close to the project.
The relocation of residents in Chuansha Town suggests that the
eastern metropolis is confident about getting the green light from
the central government for the theme park which is widely expected
to open in 2010 the year Shanghai hosts the World Expo.
It would be the second Disneyland in China after Hong Kong which
opened its doors in September last year and the third in Asia with
Tokyo having the first on the continent.
A 14.25-square-kilometer site has been earmarked for the project
according to local media reports making it possible to build a park
nearly four times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland. Local
government has drawn up a blueprint for the park as well as a
transportation plan.
In the first official response from a top city official
following two years of speculation, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said in March that the city was
preparing to build the theme park. A spokesman for the Shanghai
municipal government said recently that the city is awaiting
central government's approval for the 30 billion yuan (US$3.75
billion) project.
An earlier statement by the Disney organization said if an
agreement were reached on a second park in China it wouldn't open
before 2010.
The municipal government is considering building a metro line or
expressways linking the theme park to downtown areas and the Pudong
International Airport, local media reported.
"For years Shanghai has been keen to build theme parks and
attract major international sporting events," said Yu Hongfei, an
expert with China Europe International Business School. "A
Disneyland theme park will sharpen its edge in tourism and economic
development."
Two years ago, the city became part of the prestigious Formula
One racing circuit. The World Carnival Shanghai Festival 2003
attracted over 2.1 million visitors and generated profits of more
than 200 million yuan (US$25 million) in less than one month.
"At the same time, years of rapid development in the Yangtze
River Delta region has helped build a huge pool of tourists who are
keen on more entertainment venues," Yu said.
Also, Hong Kong Disneyland failed to reach its goal of
attracting 5.6 million tourists as expected in its first year
partly because of its relatively small size, according to market
analysts. A recent survey showed that tourists from the mainland
account for only 26 percent of the total and that figure is far
less than was expected.
(China Daily August 10, 2006)