Obama to push ahead Disney Theme Park during his China Visit in Mid November

[HongKongDisneyland]

according to Wenweipo news:

一直備受關注但進展寥寥的上海迪士尼項目隨即將到來的奧巴馬訪華而升溫。有內地媒體報道說，美國總統奧巴 馬將於下月中旬訪問中國，而上海將是他此行的一站。奧巴馬在上海一天的訪問中，將談及上海的迪士尼項目，而 該項目也將因此取得「決定性的推進」。
迪士尼：暫未有進展
　《理財周報》報道指，一位接近迪士尼中國區高層的人士透露：「奧巴馬來華訪問上海期間，上海迪士尼項目將 獲得決定性的推進。」不過經本報多方求證，未能取得確定性結論。僅迪士尼中國區堅持此前口徑，向本報回應指 該項目「目前沒有任何進展」。
　有關上海迪園項目的「進展細節」不時見於媒體上，每次「風吹草動」都引起市場熱烈回應，但擁有決定權的中 央一直未對該項目予以「拍板」定論。

Translation:

According to Media from Mainland China, Obama's visit to China will promote the Shanghai Disney Theme Park Project.

The Shanghai Disney Theme Park Project has been a major concern, but little progress in Shanghai. but with the upcoming Obama trip to China, the issue is heating up. Some mainland media reported that U.S. President Barack Obama will visit China in mid-Novemeber, while he would make a stop at the City of Shanghai during his trip. Obama one-day visit in Shanghai, will talk about Shanghai's Disney projects, and the projects will thus "decisively" advanced.

Disney: No progress has been made

"Money Weekly" reports that, one senior official close to Disney China, high-level sources: "Obama's visit to China in Shanghai, Shanghai Disneyland will be decisively advanced. But through this newspaper's multi-party evidence, but unable to obtain definitive conclusions. Disney China insisted, to respond to this newspaper claiming that the item "There is no progress."

News and Rumors about The Shanghai Disney Theme Park project have been reported by the media from time to time, but the central government of China still hasn't approved it, there is still NO "Green Light" for the project to go ahead.

[gurgi]

Yeah, I can't imagine that Obama would pitch for Disney though. It might, by association put pressure on Shanghai to agree, but I highly doubt that Obama himself will say anything pro or con about a Disney theme park.

[DisneyIPresume]

From what I understand Obama is a huge Disneyland fan. So it would make sense that he would help promote it. Besides, he may want success on this since his ability on getting the IOC to pick Chicago for the 2016 Olympics was less than perfect.

[hkdlfan]

I wouldn't think Obama would talk about Mickey Mouse while on a Foreign trip. How ever much we all would think Disney isn't kiddish and immature as some would say, Shang Hai Disneyland isn't a political concern and has no contribution in improving the relationship of USA and China. And that's what foreign trips by Presidents are all about right?

[Asa]

If Obama push for Disney Shanghai, then wouldn't Universal or Warner Bros have something to say about that? The President favouring one commercial entity over the rest?

[wweecwdude]

why does asia need another disneyland? give america it! and obama needs to be a president not disney activist

[MarkTwain]

I could see him doing this because it would be assisting and promoting American industry, which would be very good press during this recession.

And Obama wouldn't be the first president to promote Disney - George W Bush, in a speech following 9/11, told families to go to Disney World to keep the economy going.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

has no contribution in improving the relationship of USA and China

I disagree completely.

[HongKongDisneyland]

According to the latest news from atchinese

2009/10/27, 週二
中國《證券時報》透露美國迪士尼，將在上海浦東新區川沙建造主題公園的計畫可望10月底前公告 。
報道27日指出上海迪士尼項目，10月中旬過關決策機構的審核，最快本周對外宣佈這項投資約244.8億元 人民幣(35.85億美元)的計畫。該項目座落在川沙A08-03地段，緊鄰地鐵和規劃中的奧林匹克公園。

Translation:

2009/10/27, Tuesday

China's "Securities Times" revealed that the Plan for building Disney Theme Park located at Chuansha in Shanghai's Pudong New Area is expected to be announced by the end of October.

according to a report dated 27 (today), the Shanghai Disneyland Project has been passed by decision-making body in mid-October, announcement for this investment of about 24.48 billion yuan (3.585 billion U.S. dollars) would be made public as early as this week. The project is located in the Chuansha A08-03 lots, close to subway and the planned Olympic Park.

====================
Obama might witness the signing ceremony during his visit to Shanghai, China in Mid November.

[Sir_Cliff]

I seriously doubt Obama would go over to China and lobby for a Disney theme park. If it were ready to be announced I could see him participating in the announcement as it would be a great photo-op as a sign of growing cultural and economic ties between the US and China, but otherwise it would be an odd move.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by Sir_Cliff

I seriously doubt Obama would go over to China and lobby for a Disney theme park. If it were ready to be announced I could see him participating in the announcement as it would be a great photo-op as a sign of growing cultural and economic ties between the US and China, but otherwise it would be an odd move.

You may be right.