While a full room of stylish-dressed guests at the PLAYBOY launch in Ritz Carlton are anticipating to be invited to cut the ribbon for the grand open of its first membership Club in Shanghai one year later; on another less flashy room – Internet chatroom, Chinese citizens are displaying their strong objection to allow such “erotic” activity.

Officials from Shanghai’s Industry and Commerce Admission and the Culture Bureau have claimed that they will DEFINITELY refuse to stamp on the approval, reported Beijing Morning Post.

Can PLAYBOY Club, the 1st after 20 year, come to Shanghai? Or is it another bunnies’ show?

---
Below is the speech by Michael Nussbaum, Chairman and CEO of Shanghai Entertainment Ltd and the Playboy Club Shanghai.

Mr. Nussbaum announced the licensing agreement between Playboy Enterprises and Shanghai Entertainment Ltd, to use the playboy trademark and the rabbit logo for the establishment for the future Playboy Club Shanghai.  

Under Chinese regulations that foreign entertainment company must enter with joint venture with a Chinese partner, Playboy has chosen Shanghai Times Supermarket as the Chinese partner for this project.

No. 88 Yili Lu is selected as the future home of the club. Remodeling of the existing building has begun and application to receive the various permissions to operate the club is underway – applications required include operate disco, sell apparel, fire control, and other public security. The company pledged to establish a club that will apply all the laws and regulations required in Shanghai.

First step to begin the project is to establish a management company to deal with the membership, international marketing and public relations, and other essential business. To do this we have agreed to open and establish a legal entity to operate this business, known as Shanghai Shenshi Club International.

Last month the government approved our company. We expected to receive all the licenses and finish the remodeling by the end of 2005, said Mr. Nussbaum.

The new club will be a celebration of Playboy’s life style, and will give opportunity to both man and woman to join the club as members.

In the 7-floor building, there will be a Playboy store to sell Playboy branded clothes and various items, which is the first of its kind in Shanghai. There will be a disco, a night club to attract international celebrities to perform, and also a cigar bar, wine seller and spa for members.

Mr. Nussbaum also introduced the chosen designers for architecture, lightening, disco, etc.