HONG KONG, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Haichang Holdings Ltd. (Stock Code: 2255) (the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a leading developer and operator of theme parks and ancillary commercial properties in China, is pleased to announce today that on 11 June 2014, Haichang (China) Co., Ltd. and Characters Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a strategic cooperation agreement ("Agreement") with Characters Inc.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Group will be authorised to use the Japanese cartoon character "Doraemon" for activities and promotions at the Group's theme parks during the period between 1 June 2014 and 1 June 2015. The Group and Characters Inc. will jointly promote the development of products, food and beverage with the theme of Doraemon, develop retail shops with the theme of Doraemon, include the image of Doraemon in the promotional and advertising events of the Group's theme parks, jointly develop media shows and products which will consist of the brand names of the Group and Doraemon together, as well as jointly promote the development of the "Town of Doraemon" game or theme park.
Characters Inc. is a company incorporated in Japan and an authorised agent of several well-known Japanese cartoon characters, including Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan, Captain Tsubasa, Cyborg Kuro Chan and Ocha-Ken etc. Characters Inc. is engaged in different business areas including sale of consumer goods and music, films distribution and books publication.
Mr. Wang Xuguang, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Haichang Holdings Ltd., said, "Japanese cartoon character 'Doraemon' has a high popularity and welcomed by the general public. Through the joint product development and promotional and advertising events with Characters Inc., which will consist of the brand names of the Group and the image of Doraemon together, the brand of the Group will be further promoted. In addition, the Group believes that the popularity of Doraemon will enable the Group to attract more tourists to our theme parks."
