Talks on Shanghai Disneyland under way
(Kyodo)
Updated: 2006-02-08 09:22

Walt Disney Co. is in constant conversation with the Chinese government on building its second China theme park in Shanghai, Hong Kong's Cable TV reported Tuesday, quoting the company's President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger.

In a telephone interview with the broadcaster, Iger said the company has been talking about the possibility of building a Disneyland theme park in Shanghai, China's business hub.

"On theme parks, we have ongoing discussions, ongoing and ongoing and ongoing with the Chinese government about a park in Shanghai," Iger was quoted as saying in the interview.

Alannah Goss, director of corporate communications at Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific Ltd. in Hong Kong, said in a statement Tuesday that there is nothing new to report on the progress of Shanghai discussions.

"The Walt Disney Company has not reached an agreement with Shanghai to build a second theme park in China. If we were to reach an agreement for a second park in China, it would not open before 2010.

"China is a priority for the entire company and we have a continuing dialogue about a variety of Disney initiatives, including television, motion pictures and consumer products, of which theme parks are only a part," the statement said.

When Hong Kong was chosen to house Disney's first theme park in China, which opened last September, the city was told that a second one will not be built before 2010.

Hong Kong's Economic Development and Labor Bureau, which oversees the park's management, said last month that Disney has not ruled out a second theme park in China, but that it has also publicly confirmed that a second park will not open before 2010.