How China’s fake Titanic sank like a stone – and became a symbol of local excess

When Su Shaojun launched an audacious plan to build a life-size replica of the Titanic, he felt he was on to a sure-fire winner. After all, James Cameron’s iconic 1997 film had been a worldwide hit – including in China, where it had grossed over US$200 million.At a press event to unveil the project in 2014, Su invited the actor Bernard Hill – who played the captain of the Titanic in the film – to appear alongside him as he told the assembled reporters in Hong Kong that his company aimed to build a world-class tourist resort.The Titanic project looked set to ride a wave of Chinese investment. Local governments across the country were pouring billions into cultural and tourism projects at the time, aiming to drive up growth and diversify their economies.