The effects of the Chinese president's state visit to the UK continues to be felt within the domestic attractions industry as Merlin Entertainments revealed plans to build Legoland Shanghai.

The US$300m (£194m, €265m) Legoland Shanghai is a joint venture between Merlin and the Chinese investment firm China Media Capital.

The popular Lego-themed attraction has been making headway in the Asian market in recent years, with Legoland parks under construction in Japan and South Korea, and Legoland Malaysia open since 2012. Legoland is also expected to open at Dubai Parks and Resorts in the UAE in 2016.

Other midway opportunities in China will be explored by the joint venture, such as the Dungeons, Legoland Discovery Centres and attractions with DreamWorks IPs such as Kung Fu Panda.

"China is a key growth market for the Group and we see this partnership as providing a significant opportunity to accelerate our plans," said Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain – from which the UK hopes to secure up to £30bn (US$46bn, €41bn) worth of trade and investment – it was also announced that London Paramount Resort would receive £100m (US$155m, €136m) in funding from Chinese investment group SinoFortone.

"It’s a great honour to be supported by top leaders of both nations in forging this strategic partnership with Merlin," said Ruigang Li, chairman of China Media Capital.

"Through investing and operating across the whole spectrum of the media and entertainment sector, CMC has accumulated unique experience in aligning international know-how with local market needs. Through this partnership with Merlin, a global operator, we will be committed to creating a premium experience as well as establishing a working system in China for the development and operation of location based entertainment attractions that meet international standards," Li said.