Disney denies rumor of new theme park in West China

(ECNS) -- Disney on Tuesday refused to comment on a rumor that the company planned to build another theme park in western China, saying its focus was on its new Shanghai resort, the Chongqing Morning Post reported.

"With regard to the groundless speculation and rumor, we have no comment. As our first Disney resort on the Chinese mainland, also our second one in China, has just seen a grand opening, the company's focus is placed on the successful opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort, its operation and future expansion work," the paper cited Disney as saying.

On June 23, a rumor about plans for a second Disney theme park in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, went viral online, with two attached documents alleged to have been issued by Chengdu authorities, which later said they had never heard of the plan.

On the same day, a Chongqing resident wrote to the city's foreign trade and economic relations commission, suggesting the city should bid to host a new Disney resort.

The commission replied the following day that Disney had placed the building of another theme park in central or western China on its agenda before kicking off construction of Shanghai Disney.

"We are paying high attention to the Disney project in West China and are earnestly making preparations for its launch in the city," said the commission. "We have the opportunity and capacity to undertake the project."

However, an official from the commission told the Chongqing Morning Post later in the day "it is just our hopeful wish".

Disney had made it clear it would not consider a new project in China so far, since it already had two resorts in the country, the official said.

Also, there is no precedent for Disney setting up three theme parks in the same country.