Work has started on a HK$200m theme park and studio tour on Haikou Island, China, South-East of Hong Kong.

Built on 800 acres of land, the park will include a Universal Studios-type back-lot theme park, a working motion picture and television studio, a film and acting school and a centre dedicated to Chinese culture and history.

Haikou Golden Water Gate Real Estate Development Company, who are based in China, has commissioned WonderWorks China to develop, fund, project manage and produce the project.

The 'Haikou-Hollywood International Motion Picture Studio and Theme Park' will be jointly financed by The Haikou Golden Water Gate Real Estate Development Company which is funding the initial HK$50m of the project and WonderWorks China which will broker the additional HK$150m investment.

The park is due to open in 2005 - the same year that Hong Kong Disneyland will open its gates to the public.