Disney says a planned mainland China theme park will be its third theme park in Asia.

Disney's second Asian park in Hong Kong will open in September at a cost of US$3.6 billion. The other Disney park in Asia is in Japan.

According to Walt Disney Corp president Bob Iger, who will take over as CEO on September 30, the proposed park will be a platform for a much larger Disney presence in China through media and merchandise.

Disney predicts the new Hong Kong park will attract 10 million visitors a year.