Huahong Investment and NBA China have reached a partnership through which the NBA will consult on the design and development of a multi-purpose, NBA-style arena in a new entertainment district in Xiamen's Jimei District. The official signing ceremony was attended by Li Yaoyue, district mayor of Jimei; Cheng Hong, president and chairwoman of Huahong Investment Co Ltd; and David Shoemaker, CEO of NBA China.

This partnership to build an arena consistent with NBA standards in Xiamen represents the first-ever state-of-the-art, multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Fujian province.

The Xiamen Arena will be developed on 101 acres of land located in the center of the Jimei New City near the Xiamen North Train Station and will serve as the city's premier sports and entertainment destination once complete. The arena is expected to be operational in early 2016 and is expected to host a variety of sports and entertainment events.

"Much progress has been made today on creating a large-scale international sports and entertainment district that combines the NBA's standards with Jimei's sports and culture, innovation and leisure and tourism industries," said Li.

"We will continue to provide all necessary support for the successful construction and operation of the Xiamen Sports and Entertainment District by creating an excellent environment with supporting facilities and services."

The NBA will consult on the development of the arena's design with partner Huahong Investment, who will oversee the marketing and promotion of the venue. The arena will incorporate standard features of an NBA-style venue such as a center court jumbotron, 360-degree LED signage, luxury suites, concession stands, VIP lounges and restaurants.

The Xiamen Arena marks the fourth significant arena initiative for the NBA in China, after the development and launch of the Beijing MasterCard Center, the Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena and the Guangzhou International Sports Arena.

"Our goal is to create the most advanced sports and entertainment venue in China," said Cheng.

"Through this newly-formed partnership with NBA China, we will create a one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose arena that will accommodate nearly any live sports or entertainment event, thus allowing Xiamen to further solidify its position as one of China's most attractive cities in which to live and work."

"We are proud and honored to be involved with this major NBA-style arena development for the city of Xiamen, which will not only bring tremendous benefits to the people of Xiamen but also to the whole of Fujian province, a region with deep roots in China's sports culture," said Shoemaker.

(China Daily 07/22/2012 page7)