In this March 8, 2006 file photo visitors stand in front of a painting of Bruce the shark from the...
In this March 8, 2006 file photo visitors stand in front of a painting of Bruce the shark from the Disney movie "Finding Nemo" at a park in Shanghai, China. A long-awaited plan to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai appears to have moved forward, with officials confirming Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, that needed central government approvals are in place and an announcement is due soon. Mayor Han Zheng told reporters Sunday, Nov. 1, that the city plans to make an announcement as early as this week to explain details of the plan, handy timing ahead of President Barack Obama's planned Nov. 15 visit to Shanghai. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
(AP)
A long-awaited plan to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai appears to have moved forward, with officials confirming Monday that central government approvals are in place and an announcement is due soon.
However, Disney said there was no change to report.
Mayor Han Zheng told reporters Sunday that the city plans to make an announcement as early as this week to explain details of the plan — handy timing ahead of President Barack Obama's planned Nov. 15 visit to Shanghai.
An official in the public information department of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's main planning agency, confirmed Monday that the plan had been approved.
The official, who like many Chinese officials refused to give his name, referred inquiries to the local NDRC branch. That office did not immediately respond to requests for information submitted by phone and fax.
Two other officials, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to media, confirmed that the NDRC had OK'd the plan. But they also would not give any details.
A Disney executive confirmed discussions were still under way and that the company and the Shanghai government had submitted a request for central government approval, which would be required for any major project.
"No deal has been agreed to, no project has been approved," Leslie Goodman, an executive vice president for Disney Parks and Resorts Group, said in a statement.
The difference in public stances could reflect last-minute quibbling over details for the project, such as the share of costs or ownership to be taken by Disney.
Speaking after weekend meetings with international business advisers, Han, the mayor, said the city would hold a news conference this week.
Last spring, Mayor Han said on the sidelines of the national legislative session that the two sides were getting down to serious negotiations.
