Fosun Introduces Cirque du Soleil Brand in Shanghai

Expanding Footprint in Global Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Industry

Shanghai – June 15th 2015 – Today, China’s leading investment group – Fosun Group joins hands with the world's leading producer of high-quality live artistic entertainment – Cirque du Soleil (“Cirque”) in the Daguan Theater of Shanghai Himalayas Center. This is the first time for Fosun to introduce this global renowned entertainment brand at its Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Global Forum following its announced joint investment in Cirque together with TPG this April.

Two months ago, Fosun partnered with TPG to become the largest strategic partner with Cirque to further facilitate its global business development. Fosun hopes that this strategic investment can drive Cirque to access China faster and develop unique and high quality productions.

First Cirque du Soleil Projects in China

At the Cirque du Soleil-Fosun joint press conference, i.e. Fosun Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Global Forum, Fosun and Cirque du Soleil introduced their ongoing programs in China, including a permanent show to be designed and produced by Cirque in partnership with Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group, which is scheduled to premiere in the beginning of 2018 at Hangzhou XTD in a specifically designed theatre. It’s worthwhile mentioning that this Hangzhou XTD Project is co-invested by Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group and Fosun Group’s Oriental Merchant Development Co., Ltd.

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

Toruk – The First Flight is a show currently being created and inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR. This show will make its debut in Montreal, Canada this December, and will be then introduced by Fosun and Cirque in China in 2017 following the tour in North America.

Synergy in Happy and Fashionable Lifestyle Sector

Cirque du Soleil is another important initiative after Fosun’s investment in global leading brands, such as Club Med, Atlantis Hotel in Sanya, Thomas Cook, Folli Follie, St. John, Studio 8 etc. Club Med, as a significant portfolio company in Fosun’s integrated investment platform of happy and fashionable lifestyle, has already set up its global partnership with Cirque du Soleil to pilot and rollout Cirque du Soleil featured amusement park 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 Dominican Republic. The original CreActive experience invites vacationers to participate in a variety of 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, which will help them progress and discover unexpected new abilities.

Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun Group said, “As the national premier brand in Canada, Cirque du Soleil plays a critical leading role in the global entertainment industry. Our partnership with Cirque is a milestone for Fosun in its cultural entertainment sector, also for the implementation of Fosun’s investment model of ‘Combining China’s growth momentum with global resources’. This initiative is fully aligned with our strategic footprint in the happy and fashionable lifestyle industry. We believe that Fosun’s superior resources will help propelling Cirque’s business growth in China, and bring Cirque du Soleil’s world-class performing arts to the Chinese audience.”

Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil said, “We’re very pleased to join Fosun as a strategic partner. Three months later, Cirque du Soleil’s China office will open in Shanghai, so we will be in quick proximity to our partner and will be readily accessible for any synergies within Fosun’s portfolio of amazing brands. We look forward to closer cooperation with Fosun to promote our unique Quebec cultural heritage via Fosun’s experience and expertise in China, and to accelerate China’s business growth into a new level.”

With the continuous growth of consumer demand in the China market, Fosun will be paying increased attention to investment in health and fashion and lifestyle-related industries. With a focus on consumption upgrading, it is enhancing its global industrial integration capability, and dedicated to cultivating and building a world-class platforms that capture health and lifestyle trends in China and the world. Meanwhile, Fosun will implement an ecosystem layout strategy within the health and fashion and lifestyle industry, applying improved collaboration, sharing and integration to relevant resources.

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 330 cities and 48 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.