Fisherman's Wharf, the first ever themed entertainment attraction in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), opened on Saturday.

An opening lights-up ceremony was held here, attended by EdmundHo Hau Wah, chief executive of the MSAR.

Ho said while addressing the ceremony that the theme park has brought up new concept for Macao's tourism industry.

He wished that Fisherman's Wharf will help upgrade the quality of Macao residents' leisure time.

Stanley Ho, one of the co-investors of the park, said Fisherman's Wharf will hopefully re-fuel the fast-growing economy of the region.

A casino tycoon as well, he said the park is to add new elements to the region's gaming-dominant economy.

Located in Macao's outer harbor, the wharf with 40 percent of its area standing on a patch of reclaimed seashore covers an area totaling 1 million square feet.

The project costs a total investment of 2.6 billion patacas (US$325 million).

Fisherman's Wharf offers a fancy spewing artificial volcano, Chinese fort, faux Colosseum and a variety of borrowed miniature landmarks from Babylon, Miami, Lisbon, Cape Town, Amsterdam and other world tourism attractions.

The would-be opened second phase of the park will cover a giant casino and a hotel.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn January 2, 2006)