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Disney
Hong KongHong Kong Economy

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

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A controversial HK$10.9 billion expansion project is due to open at the Hong Kong theme park next year. Photo: Felix Wong
Nikki Sun

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.

But instead of serving as a trump card to secure the final votes for passage at the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee meeting on Friday, the position sparked anger among lawmakers. Some accused Disney of adopting an arrogant attitude and the government of a weak and incompetent stance.
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“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 partnership between the Hong Kong government and the US firm has long been criticised as an “unequal deal” in which the media giant receives millions in royalties and management fees even when the park loses money.
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Lawmakers ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung and Nathan Law Kwun-chung being surround by security guards during a Finance Committee meeting in Legco on Friday. Photo: Edward Wong
Lawmakers ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung and Nathan Law Kwun-chung being surround by security guards during a Finance Committee meeting in Legco on Friday. Photo: Edward Wong
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