God's businessman has eye on Bible theme park

Leung Moon-lam risked his life swimming to Hong Kong from the mainland as a 16-year-old refugee in the 1970s. The daring deed paid off, with Leung eventually building a business empire in the then British colony. But while most tycoons would be happy adding to their collection of fast cars and luxury properties, the devout Christian has other, more spiritual desires. His latest dream is to build a 4.5 billion yuan (HK$5.1 billion) Bible and Chinese culture theme park in Tieling, Liaoning province, that aims to take on Disney as a place of fun and adventure for adults and children. The China South City Holdings chief executive's story is the classic one of a Hong Kong entrepreneur who defied the odds to build his wealth and fame in the booming economy of the 1980s. After escaping to the city, he was detained by the authorities for four days but managed to obtain a Hong Kong identity card. When he found his parents, who had been smuggled into Hong Kong earlier, he was shocked by their poor living conditions in a public housing unit of less than 100 square feet in Chai Wan. Leung never had a chance to improve himself through education, so he worked in a tailoring shop owned by his uncle for 12 to 16 hours a day. But the young man's dreams were bigger than being a good tailor. With financial support from his parents and uncle and his own savings, he set up a small clothing factory of his own. The business quickly grew as the city's garment-making industry boomed. He soon opened factories in China employing 10,000 workers. At one stage, he had nine cars, including a Rolls-Royce, a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz, and employed three drivers. But frequent travel and a busy work schedule gave him little time for his family, prompting him to think of a better way of life. Encouraged by his wife, Leung turned to the church in 1996. It came at a low point in his career, when his garment business was losing money. Leung decided to sell all his assets - including the luxury cars, his garment business and more than 20 properties - shortly before the Asian financial crisis in 1997. In 1998, he resumed his garment business but on a much smaller scale. In 2002, together with entrepreneur Cheng Chung-hing, he set up China South City Holdings, which develops material procurement complexes. The firm was listed on the stock exchange in September. While he is still in the corporate world, Leung concedes becoming a Christian in 1996 has changed his outlook on life. His pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle was replaced by a desire to do good. 'I have no regrets, as I can participate in this project,' said Leung, 53, referring to the theme park he and other Christians will build on a 2.3 square kilometre site in Tieling. Known as Harmony World, the park will combine Christianity with Chinese culture and will be the first project of its kind in the world. While Disneyland offers visitors attractions such as Space Mountain and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Harmony World will have Noah's Ark, David fighting Goliath and Moses parting the Red Sea. When did you come up with the idea of building a Bible and culture theme park? Many years ago, I promised mainland government officials that I would invest in northeastern China. In 2007, the promise was raised again. I struggled because I would be required to travel a lot if I invested there. I consulted my church's senior pastor, Patrick So. He suggested the theme park, as he expected it to be turned down by the mainland government and I could stay in Hong Kong with my family. Unexpectedly, the city government welcomed it as a boost to the local economy. Pastor So and I went there many times before we signed the letter of intent last year. Can you tell us more about the development? A major feature is a 'cultural zone' presenting Bible stories and introducing Western culture to mainlanders. The theme park will also explore the parallel development of Chinese culture. Bible stories including Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, the division of Israel into Judah and Israel, and the story of Noah's Ark will be told using modern techniques. Other entertainment will include Water World, an amusement park and a theatre. It will also have a chapel for wedding ceremonies, a hotel and shopping facilities. How much is the total investment and how do you plan to raise the funds? The total investment is 4.5 billion yuan to 4.6 billion yuan. We welcome donations, sponsorships and direct investment, such as buying units in a company that owns the project. Is it a commercial project or something built purely for your God? Both. It is very difficult to raise such a large amount of capital if we rely purely on donations. It should have an 'investment' factor that allows unitholders to share dividends once the development makes a profit. Do you expect criticism from outsiders that you and your fellow Christians are using God as an excuse to make money? There could be. I can't explain it myself at this stage. People will see the outcome when it is built. It is a very complicated and long-term project and with many obstacles on the way. Construction work will begin next year. But if God does not like it and wants to stop us, we cannot go ahead. Religion is a sensitive topic in China. How did you win approval? As long as we do not ask mainlanders to believe in our God, that will be fine. They accept hardware development. China is the biggest Bible printing country in the world. What is your role in this project? I am not a member of the committee in charge of the project but my wife is. I just bought some units. My priority is to take care of China South City's business. I may fully participate in the project when I retire in 10 years. What made you become a Christian? My wife became a Christian in the early 1990s. One day she told me that she needed to donate 10 per cent of her wealth to the church. I was surprised and wanted to know what it was about. I used to believe in the evolution theory but religion told me humans were created by God. I spent a few years trying to explain the relationship between the two but failed. Finally, I stopped analysing and just believed in Him, because people are happy once they become Christians. How is China South City's business? Phase two of China South City Shenzhen is completed and in the process of being rented out. I am very confident in the company's future, as China is the factory of the world, and the centre will attract local and overseas customers to source finished products and raw materials. We are building similar operations in Nanning in Guangxi, Nanchang in Jiangxi and in northeastern China. The company's share price is still below its initial public offer price, closing at HK$1.38 on Friday. Do you think investors are losing confidence in your company? Yes, they are losing confidence. Do you know how much pressure I have when I see the share price falling below the initial offering level? Boosting it is my first priority.