Universal Studios plans Beijing theme park-report

SHANGHAI, Feb 12 (Reuters) - U.S. film giant Universal Studios is close to winning approval from China's government to build a theme park costing more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in Beijing, the official Shanghai Securities News said on Thursday.

The park, to be jointly owned by Universal Studios and state-owned Beijing Tourism Group, has been listed by Beijing's city government as one of its key projects for 2009, the newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.

China's government is now screening the project, which is likely to be approved because authorities are keen to launch big projects that would boost the slowing economy, the report said.

Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said last month that it would submit a proposal to the Chinese government to build a theme park in Shanghai. That project would cost over $3 billion, according to Chinese media reports.

Spokesman for Universal Studios and Beijing Tourism Group, which owns Beijing Capital Tourism Co (600258.SS), were not immediately available to comment.

Universal Studios is operated by NBC Universal, which is 80 percent owned by General Electric Co (GE.N) and 20 percent by Vivendi (VIV.PA). ($1 = 6.83 Yuan) (Reporting by Fang Yan; Editing by Ken Wills)