Regent to open new hotel in Beijing

Regent International Hotels has signed an agreement to open a new luxury hotel in Beijing. The Fu Wah International Group will build The Regent Beijing, scheduled to open in September 2006. The hotel will be managed by Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Carlson's regional headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region.

The 499-room Regent Beijing will be located in the heart of Beijing's commercial centre to serve business and leisure travelers, and local residents. The development will also include a 216-room Park Plaza hotel, the Park Plaza Wangfujing.

"We are delighted to be working with the Fu Wah group to bring Regent to Beijing and this agreement further demonstrates our commitment to the Chinese market," said Mrs. Carlson Nelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies. "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 Regent hotel 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 to be partnering with Carlson Hotels in this exciting program and value the company's reputation as a global hospitality leader."