HONG KONG, March 16 (UPI) -- Local lawmakers are questioning The Walt Disney Company's 20-year option to buy a 130-acre site near Hong Kong Disneyland.
Some argued the government should consider letting other theme parks use the land. "From Hong Kong's standpoint, it doesn't necessarily have to be Disneyland. Other than Disneyland, there are many other theme parks popular in the world," opposition lawmaker Sin Chung-kai said Wednesday, according to the Business Times Online.
Hong Kong Disneyland is due to open on Sept. 12. Disney has first claim to the nearby site up to 2019. The option can be extended up to 10 years if visitor numbers hit 8 million.
Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng defended the arrangement, saying it was necessary to secure the Disney deal. She added the government hopes to launch talks with Disney on exercising its land option soon.
