Six Flags has announced the addition of Garfield to its Chinese ventures, with the popular IP to be used in the children’s area of its upcoming Zhejiang and Chongqing parks.

Created in June 1978, the Paws Inc-owned Garfield holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's most widely syndicated comic strip. In addition to the various merchandise and commercial tie-ins thought to be worth up to US$1bn (€893m, £768m) annually, the Garfield comic strip has evolved to spawn several animated television specials, two animated television series, two theatrical feature-length live-action/CGI animated films, and three fully CGI animated direct-to-video movies.

“We are excited to create unique, themed sections based on the beloved Garfield character for children and their families,” said John Odum, president of Six Flags International Development Company. “From themed rides and attractions to live shows, character meet and greets and merchandise, guests will be fully immersed inside the clever world of Garfield and friends.”

The first Six Flags-branded park in China – operating under a franchise model outside of the US – is anticipated to open in 2019 and will be located in Haiyan, Zhejiang province, near Shanghai.

Chinese real estate development firm Riverside Investment Group (RIG) is behind the US$4.6bn (€4.2bn, £3.2bn) resort development, with the Six Flags park acting as the centrepiece.

A second Six Flags park will come to Bishan, Chongqing, in 2020. Both a theme and waterpark are being developed, once again in partnership with RIG.

“This alliance is another major step toward building a world class park for millions of visitors,” said Che Li, RIG chair. “Garfield is already a beloved character in China and we look forward to bringing him to life inside Six Flags Zhejiang and Six Flags Chongqing.”

Speaking to Attractions Management in 2015, Six Flags CEO John Duffey revealed that RIG were planning to build “multiple” Six Flags parks in China over the course of the next decade.