Press Release

Expanding Footprint in Global “Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle” Industry

Today, China’s leading investment group, Fosun, teamed up with Cirque du Soleil (“Cirque”), the world's leading producer of high-quality live artistic entertainment, to introduce the Cirque du Soleil brand to Chinese audiences at its Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Global Forum, at the Shanghai Himalayas Center’s Daguan Theater. This is the first time Fosun introduces the world-renowned entertainment brand in China following the joint investment in Cirque by Fosun and TPG announced last April.

Two months ago, Fosun partnered with TPG to become Cirque’s largest strategic partner in order to facilitate the entertainment company’s global business development. Fosun expects that this strategic investment will enable Cirque to access the Chinese market more quickly and develop unique, high quality productions.

First Cirque du Soleil Projects in China

At a joint press conference at the Fosun Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Global Forum, Fosun and Cirque du Soleil announced their ongoing programs in China, including a permanent show to be created and produced by Cirque in partnership with Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group. The production is scheduled to premiere in early 2018 at Hangzhou XTD in a custom-designed theater. Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group and Fosun Group’s Oriental Merchant Development Co., Ltd. are co-investors in this project in Hangzhou XTD.

China Tour: TORUK – The First Flight, inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR

Inspired by James Cameron’s film AVATAR, the show TORUK – The First Flight is currently in creation. The world premiere of this production will be held in Montreal, Canada this December and the show will be introduced in China in 2017 by Fosun and Cirque following its North American tour.

Synergy in the Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Sectors

Fosun’s investment in Cirque du Soleil is another important initiative in the group’s investment strategy involving global leading brands such as Club Med, Atlantis Hotel in Sanya, Thomas Cook, Folli Follie, St. John, and Studio 8. A significant portfolio company in Fosun’s integrated investment platform within the happy and fashionable lifestyle sector, Club Med has already set up its global partnership with Cirque du Soleil to pilot and rollout Cirque du Soleil featured amusement parks in Club Med resorts for the first time. As the first Club Med/Cirque du Soleil project, CREACTIVE is officially opening today in Punta Cana, Club Med’s resort in the Dominican Republic. The original CREACTIVE experience invites vacationers to participate in a variety of acrobatic and artistic activities. Guests will be fully immersed in a fantastically colorful and imaginative environment that is custom designed to encourage both adults and children alike to learn new skills and have fun under the supervision of Cirque du Soleil trained staff who will help them progress and discover unexpected new abilities.

Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun Group said: “As the premier brand in Canada, Cirque du Soleil plays a leading role in the global entertainment industry. Our partnership with Cirque is a milestone in our company’s cultural entertainment business and a major step in the implementation of Fosun’s investment model of “combining China’s growth momentum with global resources.” This initiative is fully aligned with our strategic deployment in the happy and fashionable lifestyle industry. We believe that Fosun’s superior resources will help propel Cirque’s business growth in China, and bring the entertainment company’s world-class performing arts to Chinese audiences.”

Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil said: “We’re very pleased to join Fosun as a strategic partner. Three months after the announcement, Cirque du Soleil’s China office will open in Shanghai, so we will be in close proximity with our partner, ready to take advantage of synergies within Fosun’s portfolio of amazing brands. We look forward to cooperating with Fosun to promote our unique Quebec cultural heritage via Fosun’s experience and expertise in China, and to help take China’s business growth to a new level.”

With the continuous growth of consumer demand in the Chinese market, Fosun will be paying increased attention to investments in the fashion & lifestyle and health industries. With a focus on consumption upgrading, the group is enhancing its global industrial integration capability, intent on cultivating and building world-class platforms that capitalize on health and lifestyle trends in China and the world. Meanwhile, Fosun will implement an ecosystem layout strategy within the fashion & lifestyle and health industries, fostering improved collaboration, sharing and integration with relevant resources.

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992 in Shanghai. Fosun International Limited (00656.HK) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 16 July 2007. Fosun has been persistently taking roots in China and investing in China’s growth fundamentals. It has been actively implementing its investment model of “Combining China’s Growth Momentum with Global Resources”. Fosun is dedicated to making a major stride towards becoming a world-class investment group underpinned by the twin drivers of “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability” and “global industrial integration capability taking roots in China”. Today, Fosun’s businesses include two major segments, integrated finance and industrial operations.  In 2014, Fosun focused more on investments in the healthcare and happy and fashionable lifestyle industries around the world, including cases like the privatization of Chindex, the acquisition of the entire Luz Saúde healthcare group of Portugal, the establishment of Studio 8 as a controlling shareholder, the privatization of Club Med and investment in Thomas Cook which have just been concluded in March of this year. For more information, please visit www.fosun.com.

About Cirque du Soleil 

Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the company, which has its International Headquarters in Montréal, extends its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows.

Cirque du Soleil is a Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, almost 160 million spectators in over 400 cities in 60 countries have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. In 2015, 18 shows will simultaneously be presented around the world. Cirque du Soleil has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and Rose d'Or de Montreux. For more information visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Media contact :
Renée-Claude Ménard
Cirque du Soleil
rcm@cirquedusoleil.com