The signing ceremony took place in the Auditorium Hall of the China Red Sandalwood Museum at the Fu Wah Group residence.  Madam Chan Lai Wa, chairman and Mr. Chiu Yung, managing director of the Fu Wah Group; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies; and Paul Kirwin, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific (CHAP) attended the ceremony. 

The 216-room Park Plaza Wangfujing Beijing will be located in the heart of Beijing's commercial center to serve business and leisure travelers, and local residents.  The development will also include a 499-room Regent luxury hotel.  "We are delighted to be working with the Fu Wah group to introduce Park Plaza to Beijing and further demonstrate our commitment to the Chinese market," said Mrs. Carlson Nelson.  "We see the partnership with the Fu Wah Group as the start of a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies."

"The development of the Park Plaza in Beijing represents an important addition to the expanding international hotel market in the city," said Madame Chan Lai Wa, chairman, Fu Wah International Group.  "We are extremely pleased the company's reputation as a global hospitality leader."

Fu Wah International Group is a successful property development company with a well-established presence in China, Hong Kong and Australia. The company has developed a number of landmark buildings in Beijing, including the China Red Sandalwood Museum, Beijing Chang An Club, Beijing Lee Garden Serviced Apartments and Beijing Fu Wah Residence. 

"Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is actively promoting the development of our brands in China.  This new hotel planned for Beijing represents part of our plan to open as many 15 Park Plaza Hotels in China over the next 10 years," said Paul Kirwin.  "The Fu Wah International Group is committed to the development of significant investment projects and the agreement signed today represents an important step for both our industry-leading companies," continued Kirwin.

The Park Plaza Wangfujing, Beijing will offer the friendly, casual service style synonymous with the brand across the world and feature an all-day restaurant, private dining facilities, one function room, a lobby lounge and executive club bar.  The hotel will also offer a business centre, six meeting rooms and a boardroom.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts is positioned in the mid-scale segment of the full-service hotel category and is known for its great value and customer-focused service culture.  These hotels are generally 125 rooms or larger and located in downtown, suburban and airport commercial locations. 

Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Asia-Pacific region and is supported by reservations, sales and development offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney.  Carlson Hotels Worldwide, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, includes five hotel brands: Regent International Hotels, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the hotel industry; Radisson Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading upscale, full- service hotel brands; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, positioned in the midscale segment of the full-service hotel category and known for its great value and customer-focused service culture; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, one of the fastest growing, midscale hotel brands; and Park Inn, a unique emerging hotel brand offering a relaxed environment in the economy category.