Disney confirms Shanghai theme park project approved by China gov't

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Plans for a Disney theme park in Shanghai were given preliminary approval by China's central government, Disney announced Tuesday.

"China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for the Walt Disney Company in mainland China," said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Co.

Approval of the Project Application Report would enable Disney and its Shanghai partners to move toward a final agreement for construction and operation of the park and begin preliminary development work in Shanghai's Pudong area, the company said in a news release.

Upon completion of the final agreement, the project's initial phase would include a Magic Kingdom-style theme park tailored to the Shanghai region, along with other amenities consistent with other Disney parks.

Disney said that its first animation was shown in China in the 1930s. Today, Disney's long association with China continues through offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with over 600 employees.

Disney owns and operates five parks around the world, including Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California; Walt Disney World Resortin Lake Buena Vista, Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Valle, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, located on Lantau Island.