China theme park to raise the Titanic, with wi-fi

Construction of the world's first full-size replica of the Titanic has begun in China, state media reported Thursday, where it is expected to enjoy smoother sailing as a lakeside tourist draw than its namesake.

The 269-metre (883-foot) long, 28-metre wide ship will be docked permanently on a reservoir in a rural area of Sichuan province, the official Xinhua news agency cited a senior executive of the shipbuilder as saying.

It will feature an interior reproducing some of the grandeur of the original including a ballroom, theatre, swimming pool and first-class cabins, with the addition of wifi, said Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group's deputy general manager Wang Weiling.