Su Zhigang, founder of China's Chimelong Group, just rewrote theme park history! On November 19, 2025, the visionary entrepreneur became the first Chinese industry leader ever inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Orlando.
The recognition cements Chimelong's status as a global entertainment powerhouse 🚀. Under Su's leadership, the Chinese mainland-based company transformed from a single safari park in 1997 to operating three of the world's top 10 theme parks by 2025, including the marine-life focused Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.
"This honor isn't just mine—it belongs to China's growing innovation in immersive entertainment," Su said during his acceptance speech. The induction comes as Asian theme parks capture 42% of global attendance this year, with Chimelong driving much of that growth.
Industry analysts call this a "Mickey Mouse moment" for Chinese entertainment brands 🐭🇨🇳. As younger generations flock to experiential tourism, Chimelong's blend of cutting-edge tech and cultural storytelling sets new standards. Who needs magic kingdoms when you've got robo-pandas?
