The Tussauds Group has announced that it will open a Madame Tussauds attraction in Shanghai next year.

The UK-based group – which was acquired by Dubai International Capital (DIC) for £800m (US$1.5bn, E1.18m) in March 2005 – said the new opening is part of the company’s international expansion strategy.

Located at the city’s New World department store, the 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) Madame Tussauds in Shanghai will mix waxworks of international celebrities with famous Chinese people.

Figures will include Bill Gates, Jacky Chan, basketball player Yao Ming and David Beckham. The Chinese government will take part in marketing the attraction and will feature the site in its promotional literature.

Peter Phillipson, chief executive of Tussauds Group, said: “As China’s largest and wealthiest city with more than 13 million residents and nearly 40 million tourists per year, Shanghai represents fantastic opportunities.

“The new opening will allow us to continue with our international expansion programme, capitalise on the success of the brand globally and benefit from the continued growth of the Asian leisure market.”

Tussauds also announced that it will reopen Madame Tussauds Hong Kong – which closed in August 2005 to undergo an extensive refurbishment programme – during spring 2006.