Xinhua News Agency Warns of Universal Studios Ticket Resold at 1 Million Won After 110,000 Won Opening on 20th
Global Times: Universal Studios Reflects Sino-US Economic Exchange... US Minority Politicians Act Against Reality
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Beijing Universal Studios officially opened on the 20th. Beijing Universal Studios has been receiving intense attention from 1.4 billion Chinese people, being ranked as the most popular tourist destination during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period ahead of its opening.
People's Daily Online reported on the 21st that Beijing Universal Studios officially opened on the 20th after 20 years of preparation and will become a new landmark of Beijing.
Advance ticket sales for the opening day began at midnight on the 14th and sold out in less than an hour. Due to the high demand, ticket scalping is rampant. Eventually, Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese state-run media, issued a warning article about purchasing scalped tickets for Beijing Universal Studios.
Xinhua pointed out that tickets priced at 638 yuan (approximately 117,000 KRW) are being traded at outrageous prices of 5,600 yuan (about 1,030,000 KRW). The official ticket prices range from 418 to 748 yuan (approximately 77,000 to 137,000 KRW).
Xinhua warned that Beijing Universal Studios tickets are issued under real-name registration, and strict real-name verification, including ID checks, will be conducted on-site.
Xinhua reiterated that Beijing Universal Studios tickets are managed through an integrated computerized system, and scalpers and employees involved in scalping will be punished according to relevant laws. It also cautioned that consumers who purchase tickets through unofficial channels (scalpers) will not be protected in their legitimate rights and interests.
Despite the noise about scalping, the state-run Global Times reported that Beijing Universal Studios successfully held its opening ceremony and officially started operations. The Global Times reported that on the morning of the 20th at 9 a.m., a historic opening ceremony was held with the attendance of Cai Qi, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee; Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Chen Jining, Mayor of Beijing; and Tom Williams, CEO of Beijing Universal Studios.
The Global Times particularly enumerated the economic effects of Beijing Universal Studios. The media stated that the annual number of visitors is expected to reach 10 to 12 million, with annual sales exceeding 10 billion yuan (approximately 1.8337 trillion KRW). It also mentioned that phases 2 and 3 of Beijing Universal Studios' additional construction are planned, which is expected to generate economic synergy effects exceeding 2 billion yuan in related accommodation and food service sectors.
The media quoted experts emphasizing that the three theme parks?Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Beijing Universal Studios?are representative places demonstrating China's willingness to open up externally and showcasing China's national consumption capacity.
The Global Times also politically interpreted the opening of Beijing Universal Studios. The media stated that although relations between the two countries have deteriorated to the point of being called a Cold War, the opening of Beijing Universal Studios signifies active economic exchanges between China and the United States, pointing out that only a few minority American politicians are acting against reality.
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