Universal Studios has launched its latest mega project in Beijing. The joint venture Beijing International Resort Co. has unveiled its seven themes and visions on October 12.
This will be Universal's fifth and the largest theme park. Attractions will include Kung Fu Panda, the Minions, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, when it opens to the public in 2021.
Universal Beijing unveils vision for the resort on October 12, 2019 in Beijing. /Photo courtesy of Universal Beijing
The new Universal Beijing Resort is trying to bring to millions of expected visitors an immersive experience as movie fans will meet and interact with their favorite characters in the newly-announced theme lands.
"For the first time ever, we're creating an area for transformers. Normally we just had a ride. But this time we've an entire area dedicated to transformers. For the first time ever, we've an area dedicated to Kung Fu Panda. The area will be all indoor, completely climate controlled, and it will be an unbelievable and immersive experience for visitors," said Tom Mehrmann, president of Universal Beijing resort, introducing the highlights of the new theme park. Mehrmann is also a veteran in the global theme park industry for four decades.
A bird's-eye view rendering of Universal Beijing Resort. /Photo courtesy of Universal Beijing
Plus, there will also be a water park and a Hollywood land to discover behind-the-scenes stories, jointly created by renowned movie directors from the U.S. and China.
"When we decided to build Universal Beijing, I just tell people I would only want to do this project with Zhang Yimou," said Steven Spielberg, director of "Jaws", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Ready Player One".
"This is a combination of Chinese and American cultures. I'm really looking forward to it," said Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou, best known for his wuxia trilogy of "Hero", "House of Flying Daggers" and "Curse of the Golden Flower".
Approved by the Chinese government in 2014, the four square-kilometer project in the capital city's subcenter Tongzhou has finished half of its phase-one construction.
When asked about why Universal decided to build its largest theme park here in Beijing at the particular time, Mehrmann says that discussions around building a Universal Studios in China began two decades ago.
CGTN talks to Tom Mehrmann, president of the Universal Beijing Resort at the theme park's construction site. /CGTN Photo
"But the timing has worked out really well. China has continued to grow and emerge as a stronger and stronger economic power in the world. The middle class is growing, and theme parks are natural component of growing middle class. I give the Chinese government credit to have the full sight to see where things are heading. So, the relationship began in 2001 sped up in 2013 and 2014, with the agreement signing and things getting ready," added Mehrmann.
Upon completion, 14,000 employees will be hired mostly from the local labor market, thus boosting the local economy. Despite the ongoing China-U.S. trade friction, Mehrmann says his company now has no such worry.
"We really have a great partner, Beijing Tourism Group (BTG). This is a strong government investment and a private investment from Universal. We both collectively focus on the goals and we are delivering the product as anticipated. We really haven't encountered any of those issues," said Mehrmann.
Nowadays, the booming theme park industry in China has attracted not just domestic but global leaders such as Universal, Disney and Six Flags. Mehrmann quoted the old saying of "when the tide rises, all the boats float higher," suggesting competition could also mean unique opportunities for the growing Chinese market.