Hong Kong lawmakers blast government for not challenging Disney’s ‘take it or leave it’ stance on funding deal
But commerce minister claims taxpayers stand to lose more if proposed HK$5.45 billion to revamp theme park in city is not approved
A take it or leave it position has been taken by Walt Disney Company as it seeks Hong Kong lawmakers’ approval for a HK$5.45 billion funding application to revamp its theme park in the city, the commerce minister said.
“Disney confirmed that ‘take it or leave it’ would be the right description of its attitude,” commerce secretary Greg So Kam-leung said in recalling how the government posed a lawmaker’s question to the company.
The controversial HK$10.9 billion expansion project, due to open next year, is to feature themed zones based on the blockbuster Frozen and Marvel superhero films, as well as the transformation of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
“If Disney uses this [take it or leave it] attitude to ask money from taxpayers, it would eventually lose Hongkongers’ love,” Democratic Party lawmaker Hui Chi-fung said.
The furious lawmaker went on to accuse the government of assuming a weak stance in negotiating the terms with Disney.
“Secretary, if I were Disney, I would look down upon you too,” he told So. “Why don’t you resign?”
The treatment of Hong Kong’s theme park stands in marked contrast with that of Paris Disneyland, of which the American media giant has a share of almost 90 per cent.
“Why are the terms of Paris Disneyland so much better than ours?” pro-establishment lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun asked as he questioned whether the government had made a sufficient effort.
The Paris park, recording losses in 17 of its 24 years in operation, saw its US parent waive both royalties and management fees many times, with the latest two-year round starting from last year. The waived amount in the fourth quarter of last year alone reached €21 million (HK$178 million), according to its financial filings.
But under the city’s plan, only about up to HK$114.4 million in adjustable management fees could be waived during the two-year period, based on its financial figures last year.