Universal Studios Beijing to draw eager throngs amid uneasy US-China ties

20/9/2021 13:06

        Universal Studios' Beijing resort was set to open its doors to the public on Monday after a two-decade wait, including delays because of COVID-19.
        
        The highly-anticipated opening takes place amid U.S.-China relations that have deeply deteriorated in recent years.
        
        The park will be U.S.-based Universal's largest and its fifth globally. It is also a first for Beijing, which lacks a big branded theme park to rival the Disney resorts in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
        
        And, it will be the first Universal park with a section dedicated to the movie "Kung Fu Panda" and includes an area based on the Harry Potter franchise, which is popular in China.
        
        All 10,000 tickets for the opening available in a pre-sale on Sept. 14 sold out in three minutes, according to Trip.com Group.