A theme park dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales is expected to open in Shanghai during the 2010 World Expo next May, reports AFP.

A partner in the project - Yang Wenyan, director of the state-run Haha children's channel - is quoted as saying that the eight hectare (20 acre) site will celebrate the Danish writer's stories including The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor's New Clothes. He said: "The park will open on 11 May during the World Expo, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark", and added that Denmark will donate a replica of the Andersen statue that stands in front of Copenhagen city hall.

The theme park, in the Yangpu district of Shanghai, was first announced in August 2006, but was suspended - according to previous state media reports - due to financing problems. The main investor in the project, Shanghai Gujing Investment and Development Co Ltd, has not released any information about the park's cost.

In a further development, Copenhagen's 'Little Mermaid' sculpture will be brought to Shanghai to be the centrepiece of Denmark's pavilion at the six-month World Expo, which begins on 1 May 2010. In its absence, the sculpture's site will be occupied by a piece created by a Chinese artist.