A Hong Kong government source has revealed the administration's irritation at the recurring reports that another Disneyland is to be built in Shanghai - and their timing.
The source also laid out the government's bottom line for beginning any talks with Disney on providing further funding for the theme park.
The source, who declined to be named, complained that rumours of a Shanghai Disneyland resurfaced whenever the government was negotiating with the Walt Disney Company. 'Every time we have talks with Disney there are rumours that Shanghai will be building a Disney park,' the source said.
The source also said that strategies to boost attendance and add attractions had to be worked out before talks about putting more money into the Lantau park could begin.
'There are plenty of things we need to talk to Disney about before we talk about financing, such as the issue of operations - how they can improve their operation to boost attendance and reach the projected target. We also need to talk about expansion, how to add new games and attractions,' the source said yesterday.
Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened in September 2005, announced below-target attendance of 5.2 million in its first year; it has not released second-year figures. The government owns 57 per cent of it.
Officials have said the government will not spend any more on the park and that it must finance new attractions from operating income.