Open society

Some experts regard the westernized entertainment represented by the Disney culture as a heavy blow to China's traditional culture, while many others consider such concerns unnecessary in an era of globalization.

"The building of Shanghai Disney shows that China has become more open to other cultures," Professor Ding said. "After all, the closed-door age has gone."

For a long time, China has adopted a prudent attitude toward the possibility of opening up its culture sector to the outside world. However, welcoming a Disneyland on the mainland reflects the nation's confidence in its own culture, said You Anshan, head of the Research Center of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs under the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

"The Shanghai Disneyland could serve as a mirror, as the popular Disney culture could provoke a sense of crisis and consideration on ways to develop and promote local cultures," You said.

In response to concerns over the possible competition between China's two Disneylands, Robert Iger showed confidence in the projects in both Shanghai and Hong Kong. He said that, given the country's huge population and vast territory, "China is more than capable of having two Disneylands."

For the young Shanghai Shendi Group, the project offers an opportunity to learn from the US cartoon giant.

"A large amount of environmentally-friendly material will be used to build the theme park. We're surprised that even the water quality standards for artificial lakes are set very high. We have so much to learn from our US partner," said a Shendi employee.