| 1989 |
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Sept. |
Shenzhen Splendid China opens in mainland China. |
| 1990 |
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| 1991 |
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| Dec. 18 |
Construction begins on $100 million Florida Splendid China theme park in Kissimmee, Florida.
Joint venture between China Travel Services (Holdings) H. K., Ltd. and American Eastern International Company |
| 1992 |
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| 1993 |
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| Nov. |
(6) PRESS RELEASE by the International Campaign for Tibet
Chinese Propaganda Theme Park Opens in Florida "Splendid China" Promotes Idyllic Image of Tibet and Other Cultures. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here  160K PDF |
(15) PRESS RELEASE by the International Campaign for Tibet
Secret Documents Outline Chinese P.R. Plan to "Divide and Destroy" Tibetan Supporters (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(15) PRESS in the Washington Times
China tries to change its image over rights violations in Tibet. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(17) Cartoon in the Hong Kong Standard
Bathtime by Trigg. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(21) PRESS in Newsweek
China: An Anti-Tibet Offensive ?. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(21) PRESS in the Tampa Tribune
Buddhists plan demonstration at China park. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
| Dec. |
(7) Letter to Editor in Savannah Morning News
Theme Park Ignores Oppression. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(9) Press in USA Today
Re-creating China: Discerning between propaganda, history. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(18) Press Release by New York Office of Tibet
Statement of Thubten Samphel, spokesperson for the Office of Tibet, at the Florida Protest Against the Inclusion of the Potala Palace in the "Splendid China" theme park. Statements 1993-1999 are located here 160K PDF |
(18) Editorial in the Miami Herald
The Torturers' Theme Park: 'SPLENDID' CHINA? (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
| Dec. 18 |
Grand Opening(by invitation only) of Florida Splendid China in Kissimmee, Florida.
Here are some congratulatory letters
2,400 guest and dignitaries in attendance (including four (4) top officials of the Chinese Communist Party.)
|
| Dec. |
(19) Press in the Atlanta Constitution
Looks like China? It may be Florida: New park packs Great Wall, Forbidden City and controversy into 76 acres. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(19) Press in the Miami Herald
A Splendid China setting: Florida's newest theme park a small and elegant world. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(19) Press in the Orlando Sentinel
Theme park takes bow as activists create row. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(19) Press in the Bradenton Herald
China theme park not so splendid, protesters say. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
| Dec. 19 |
Grand Opening of Florida Splendid China in Kissimmee, Florida.
Protest demonstration held outside the park brings about one hundred people.
Namgyal and Drepung monks in attendance.
 |
| Dec. |
(20) Transcript of WMNF radio broadcast
(Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF
 |
(20) Press in the St. Petersburg Times
Newest Attraction Attracts Protesters. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(20) Press in the Tampa Tribune
Palace Protest : Pickets greet China theme park's opening. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(20) Press in the New York Times
New Florida Theme Park Based on Chinese History Opens to Protest . (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
(20) Press in the Washington Post
Parks' Tibetan Display Draws Buddhist Protest. (Press Clippings for 1993 are located here 160K PDF |
| 1994 |
|---|
| Jan. |
(8) Press in the New York Times
China Becomes Theme Park, but Cultural Debate Remains Real. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
(13) China Travel Services HK Ltd. assumes complete control of Florida Splendid China
See press below |
(15) Press in the Orlando Sentinel
New order: China controls Central Florida theme park. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
(31) Press in the South China Morning Post
Florida Park Irks Rights Campaigners. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
| Feb. |
(19) Editorial in the New York Times
Chinese Trace Claim On Tibet to Mongols. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
| March 10 |
Protest demonstration to commemorate anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day. |
| March 14 |
Protest demonstration to commemorate anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day. |
| April 16 |
(name deleted), a Han Chinese translator defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| May 5 |
Florida Splendid China purchases an additional 274 acres to add to the 76 acres it already owns.
See press below |
| May |
(5) Press in the Orlando Sentinel
China buys Osceola land for $15 million. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
(14) Press in the Economist
Chinese culture; Prettified. (Press Clippings for 1994 are located here 48K PDF |
| July 22 |
(name deleted), a dancer and member of the Yao minority group defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| August |
Protest demonstration organized by Lallapalooza Tour, Milarepa Foundation and Beatie Boys.
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(15) (name deleted), a dancer and member of the Mongol minority group defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(16) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| September |
(4) (name deleted), Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(17) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(18) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(18) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| October |
(1) (name deleted), Han Chinese musician defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(1) (name deleted), a Han Chinese musician defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(4) (name deleted), a Han Chinese martial artist defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(5) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(11) (name deleted), a Han Chinese model defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(11) (name deleted), a Han Chinese announcer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| Nov. 25 |
(name deleted), a Han Chinese musician defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| Dec. 13 |
Mei Li Ming, a Mongol dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China.
It is believed by many that Mei Li Ming was abducted as she took no money, identification, or clothing with her. However, Florida Splendid China just wrote her off as a defector and did no further investigating.
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| Dec. 17 |
Protest demonstration to commemorate first anniversary of park opening. |
| 1995 |
|---|
| Jan. |
(10) Letter to Central Florida Newspaper is published.
Human rights violations deprive entertainers at Splendid China
I am an employee at Splendid China, and the reason I am writing to you is to inform you of the many injustices ....(Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF
|
(15) (name deleted), a Han Chinese chef defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(26) Press in the Far East Economic Review
Global Village: Surreal Shenzhen brings the world's wonders to China.
Reports says that 700 to 1,000 visitors per day compared to 33,000 at Magic Kingdom 2 miles away. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |
| Feb. |
(5) Passing satellite takes some pictures of Florida Splendid China.
Florida Splendid China from Space ! |
(6) (name deleted), a Mongol acrobat defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(6) (name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(6) (name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(6) "A Citizens Call to Action" Vol 1 No. 1 mailed out.
Focuses on 3/10/95 protest demonstration |
| March |
(3) (name deleted), a Mongol acrobat defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(6) (name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(9) Press in the Orlando Weekly
Splendid Mess. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |
(10) Protest demonstration to commemorate anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day. |
(11) Protest demonstration to commemorate anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day.
Drepung Monks in attendance |
(16) Siqing Tunala, a Mongol dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| May |
(name deleted), an Uyghur dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(name deleted), an Uyghur dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(name deleted), an Uyghur dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
(7) Letter to Editor Times Picayune
China Not Splendid. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |
| June 8 |
(name deleted), a Han Chinese dancer defects/escapes from Florida Splendid China. |
| June 10 |
"A Citizens Call to Action" Vol 1 No. 2 mailed out.
Focuses on Letter writing campaign to school board administrators.
"The Plan" first published.
First FAQ online |
| August 1995 |
Webpages online
Web archive of CACCP site |
| Sept. |
Splendid China marketing sends out four color brochure to school districts across the state of Florida entitled "Splendid China Learning Adventures". This program offered special rates and a walking tour for groups of children. |
| Fall |
Splendid China creates a "senior ambassadors" program, sending representatives to senior centers, rotary clubs and other places where older people gather to do presentations on the park and to hand out discount coupons.
Morgan said the park also made specific changes to accommodate older tourists, adding a tram tour and creating special Chinese meals for bus tours.. |
| Oct. 11 |
Dennis Harrison, Ed.S., addressed the Board (Pinellas County, Fla) regarding the increased attempts by the Splendid China Theme Park in Orlando, FL to promote it's campaign regarding the nation of Tibet to the educators and students of Pinellas County. He requested that the Board remove this park from the list of approved field trips.
School Board Minutes from October 11, 1995 (see item #7) |
| Nov. |
(6)Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association votes to urge teachers and their families not to visit Splendid China. The union also supports efforts before the Pinellas County School Board to ban field trips to the park.. |
(6) Press from Reuters
Clearwater, Florida to Ban the School Visits to China Theme Park. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |
(6) Press in St. Petersburg Times
Teachers Rally Against Splendid China. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |
Press on Pacifica
Transcript of Pacifica Broadcast. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF
|
(mid) Florida Splendid China's Golden Peacock Theater opens. New Acrobat show starts.
Promotion begins with 2-for-1 admission with the label from a 2-liter bottle of Sprite. |
"A Citizens Call to Action" Vol 1 No. 3 mailed out.
Action: 12/17/95 demonstration
Available information from ICT and ETUIE |
| Dec. |
(16) Public meeting held |
(17) Protest demonstration to commemorate second anniversary of park opening. |
(27) Editorial in St. Augustine Record
China park idea not so Splendid. (Press Clippings for 1995 are located here 44K PDF |