From Beijing Review (link), with readers’ opinions:
The rumor that Shanghai is about to build a Disneyland theme park has gained some substance. In mid-March, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng for the first time positively responded to the speculation on a public occasion, saying “Shanghai has conditions to build an excellent Disneyland and all preparations are well under way.” At the same time, Han revealed the project was still waiting for approval by the Central Government.
According to sources familiar with the impending project, Disney’s Shanghai site would cover an area of 6 square km, 4.7 times the size of the Disneyland in Hong Kong, the only of its kind on the Chinese territory so far, which opened last September.
Many opponents view the proposed park as a “cultural invasion.” They are worried that American cultural and entertainment concepts carried by Disneyland might strike a blow to Chinese culture. People welcoming the Disneyland challenge that transnational and trans-regional cultural communication is an irreversible trend and the Chinese should welcome the introduction of various foreign cultures.
