Reports in Chinese media suggest that the country’s leading theme park operator, Chimelong Group, has decided to change its approach to discounted ticketing in the face of a legal challenge to its policy of offering discounted tickets based on the height measurements of visitors.

The action was brought by the Guangdong Consumer Council, claiming that the policy of only allowing discounts for those under 1.5 metres (4ft 11in) in height was a violation of the legal rights of underaged consumers.It said it was suing on behalf of a large number of parents in recent years who had complained to the council that their children did not receive discounts on entrance tickets simply because they were too tall, even though they qualified by age.

The case was due to be heard by the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, but according to China Daily, a statement on the Guangdong Consumer Council’s WeChat account announced that the charge against Chimelong had been dropped in response to its change of policy.

That policy is now to allow discounts for those under 18 years of age, subject to them producing identity or student cards that prove their age. Though it had been policy for decades to apply the height criteria, official figures show that, due to improved living standards in recent times, the average height of 12-year-old children in China is now more than 150 cm.

Chimelong Group has seven attractions open in China, five in Guangzhou (including water and safari parks), and two in Zhuhai, including the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.