In a rebuke of the actions of The Walt Disney Company as it relates to foreign relations, US Attorney General William Barr has leveled accusations that some 300 Shanghai Disneyland Cast Members are Chinese Communist Party members. The accusation comes as part of a larger attack on The Walt Disney Company, and BlogMickey.com has added emphasis to Barr’s remarks below:
I suspect Walt Disney would be disheartened to see how the company he founded deals with the foreign dictatorships of our day…After the Chinese Communist Party banned all Disney films in China, the company lobbied hard to regain access. The CEO apologized for Kundun, calling it a “stupid mistake.” Disney then began courting the People’s Republic of China to open a $5.5 billion theme park in Shanghai. As part of that deal, Disney agreed to give Chinese government officials a role in management. Of the park’s 11,000 full-time employees, 300 are active members of the Communist Party. They reportedly display hammer-and-sickle insignia at their desks and attend Party lectures during business hours.
Like other American companies, Disney may eventually learn the hard way the cost of compromising its principles. Soon after Disney opened its park in Shanghai, a Chinese-owned theme park popped up a couple hundred miles away featuring characters that, according to news reports, looked suspiciously like Snow White and other Disney trademarks.
American companies must understand the stakes. The Chinese Communist Party thinks in terms of decades and centuries, while we tend to focus on the next quarterly earnings report. But if Disney and other American corporations continue to bow to Beijing, they risk undermining both their own future competitiveness and prosperity, as well as the classical liberal order that has allowed them to thrive.
The remarks from Barr came a day after Michael Colglazier, President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International, stepped down from his position with Disney to become CEO of Virgin Galactic.
Jill Estorino replaced Colglazier as the President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International, after five years as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Sales. Prior to that, Estorino served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading the teams at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort to achieve business goals and ensure a consistent brand presence in the APAC region. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading a team that developed marketing strategies to drive attendance and occupancy for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Vacation Club.
“I am excited for the opportunity to once again work more closely with our teams in Europe and Asia and to share Disney Magic with Guests and fans throughout the world.” Estorino said.
BlogMickey.com has reached out to Disney for comment and has not received a response.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
BAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh that’s rich, coming from an admin that courts dictators and acts with dictatorial disregard for the rule of law here at home.
OMG! I’m laughing at the hypocrisy of the DOJ!!! I guess, if Disney had a Magic Kingdom in Moscow, everything would be “right as rain”!